The Nation July 6 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

News Jonathan seeks speedy screening for Okonjo-Iweala P4 Sport Rivers widens lead on Sports Festival medals table P63 Business CBN says banks can operate ATMs outside premises P11 http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 6, NO. 1812 WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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Man who ‘killed’ banker-wife says he was attacked

•AGONY

OF A SUSPECT: Mr Arowolo at the Police Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos ... yesterday

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OLADE Arowolo, the 30-year-old man who killed his banker-wife, Titilayo, on June 24, slumped yesterday as he was paraded by the Police in Lagos.

The suspect wept as he put up a defence of his action, which led to the death of his wife of three years. He said his wife attacked him.

Arowolo allegedly killed his 29-year-old

By Jude Isiguzo, Police Affairs Reporter

wife at their Isolo, Lagos suburb home.

“All I can say is this, look at the stabs on my hands; look at my body. I was trying to collect the knife from her. You can see every other thing. Investigation is still going on. You can talk to my lawyer. You are talking about my wife here and not any other person.

PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

“For goodness sake, I’m undergoing medical check-up. I’m not in the right frame of mind to talk to anybody. Please, talk to my lawyer. See injuries from stabbing all over my body; is that not enough? We are talking about my wife here. I am bereaved, for goodness sake. Please, excuse me. At the right time, you guys will be invited and you will hear my story.”

On the comment that he posted on his

Facebook page three days before the incident, which read: “May God give me the grace not to do what I want to do”, Arowolo said: “There are facts and figures everywhere. You can go and check them, please.

Please, I beg you in the name of God, please”.

The Police said yesterday they would arContinued on page 2

We know police hqtrs bomber, says Ringim Senators, security chiefs strategise Two policemen killed in Borno Police raid Boko Haram hideout Military patrol squad bombed

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NSPECTOR-General of Police Hafiz Ringim yesterday told the Senate that the police have a CCTV footage of the terrorist behind the June 16 explosion at the Police Headquarters, Abuja.

National Security Adviser Gen. Owoye Azazi allayed the fears of Senators on the security challenge in the country. He said security

From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

agencies are on top of the situation.

State Security Service (SSS) Director-General Ita Ekpenyong gave details of the antecedents of Boko Haram insurgents and the atrocities they have committed.

He said the Boko Haram menace

is limited to the Northeast and a few areas in the Northwest, such as Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Katsina and, to a negligible extent, Katsina and Kano states.

The security chiefs spoke during the two and a half hours meeting in an executive session with the Senate on the activities of Boko Haram members and the implica-

tions for Nigeria’s security.

A source, who pleaded not be named because “the matter is sensitive”, said the IGP was bombarded with questions.

The source quoted the IGP as saying: “We have the camera which captured the terrorist that came within the complex. It was because of vigilance that the man was forced

to move away from where he wanted to put the exploded car.

“We are still networking with local and international agencies to be able to have a thorough report on the incident.

“We are determined to get to the roots of the explosion; we are furContinued on page 2

•POLITICS P15 •SPORTS P23 •LIFE P29 •MONEY P43 •INVESTORS P45

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

NEWS Man who ‘killed’ banker-wife says he was attacked Continued from page 1

•From left: Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo; CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and President, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa, Dr. Namanga Ngongi at the CBN Stakeholders’ PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN Conference in Abuja.

raign Arowolo after concluding its investigations.

He is to be taken to a psychiatry hospital where his mental state will be examined, Lagos Police spokesman Sam Jinadu said yesterday.

Jinadu said the suspect was arrested in his house two days after he allegedly stabbed his wife to death “when he went to pick up some of his personal effects in preparation for his escape”.

It was gathered that the suspect has a history of violence.

One of his course mates and a room mate at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) told our reporter that Arowolo, who ran a course, “Operation feed the less privileged” on the Facebook, allegedly beat up his girlfriends in their school days.

The roommate, who said he subscribed to the charity course before pulling out because he was not certain that the suspect had truly changed even though he had become a pastor, described him as “hot tempered but quiet-looking”.

“In our school days, he had

Two policemen shot dead in Maiduguri

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WO policemen were shot dead and a military patrol squad bombed yesterday in Maiduguri, a senior army chief said.

“A policeman was shot and killed outside his house by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Gwange area of the city,” Brigadier-General Jack Okechukwu Nwaogbo, the commander of the Joint Army/Police Task Force, told AFP. A police detective in plain clothes was killed on the streets in a similar attack in another part of the city.

“There was also a bomb attack targeting a military patrol in London Ciki neighbourhood. The bomb was tossed at a patrol van, fortunately there was no casualty,” he said.

A resident, Lawan Maikudi, however, said one soldier was killed in the bombing.

“The bomb exploded very close to the van, killing one soldier,” said Maikudi.

Nwaogbo said the attackers fled into a nearby house, where the military rounded up 20 people.

Unofficial sources however suggested that no fewer than seven persons died in the attacks.

Attacks in the city have been claimed by or blamed on Boko Haram.

Sporadic gunshots were

•Military patrol bombed From Sanni Ologun, Abuja and Austin Tsenzughul, Bauchi

heard yesterday in Bauchi as the police stormed the hideout of Boko Haram members.

There was tension in the city as guns boomed Unguwar Kur, Jahun ward in the metropolis where the police suspected members of the Islamic fundamentalist sect, Jama’atu Ahl Sunnati Lil Da’awa Wal Jihad, popularly called Boko Haram (Western education is evil).

Residents of the area, including policemen at the Dutsen Tanshi Police Division, Danjuma Goje Street, Federal Low Cost Housing Estate and Games Village, were shaken.

The Dutsen Tanshi Police Division headquarters was the first place where the sect launched its attack in July 27, 2009. It had a repeat attack last April. Some policemen were killed in the both attacks.

The police’s operation, which lasted for four hours and 42 minutes, was said to “be a pro-active step meant to wipe out the Boko Haram outlets in the state”.

Unconfirmed reports said “at least three people died in the operation”. Their identities were unknown.

Eye witnesses (neighbors

close to the raided house) who spoke in confidence recalled that they saw a man who was shot in the stomach.

Another was shot in the hand and legs.

“From where I climbed, I saw four people that were on the ground with blood rushing out of their bodies and I think one or three of them must have died because three of them stopped moving,” another resident.

Police spokesman Mohammed Barau, told reporters that they received information that criminals were hiding in a house in Unguwar Kur at Jahun ward and they went there to find out.

“Based on this information, a team of policemen cordoned the house and the people inside the house opened fire and the police responded and overpowered them,” Barau said.

It was learnt that after the gun duel, the police searched the house and recovered a gun (AK 47) and live ammunition.

The police made some arrests. The injured were taken to the hospital.

Barau did not say if the suspects were Boko Haram members. Besides, he did not disclose the number of suspects arrested, the injured

and the number of policemen involved in the early morning operation. “The team leader of that operation is yet to brief the CP, and until he does that I don’t have such details,” he said.

Social antic Prof. Eskor Toyo yesterday said only true justice in Nigeria can help solve the Boko Haram imbroglio and its attendant insecurity.

Toyo, at a news conference in Abuja, said not minding the branding of Boko Haram as being against western education, he has discovered through research that Boko means “false” while Haram means “prohibited”.

“I translate Boko Haram to mean falsity is prohibited.

Hypocrisy is prohibited,” he said, adding: “Now, concerning these boys who organise Boko Haram, now the army went and arrested the leader of the group and handed him over to the police and the police killed that boy. Is that the way they are asking for peace?”

According to him, no true believer in Islam would hate western education.

He added that there is something in western education that can be hated both by Christians and Muslims,” adding: “That is hypocrisy, selfishness and greed. How can this boy Muhammad, who attended a university, he had a master’s degree, he

•Police chief Ringim

comes out there is no job. And there is so much illiteracy in that religion.

“Recently they pointed out to me that 72 per cent of people in that religion are illiterate. He comes back he has no job. Every day when he goes out he sees mass of illiterates, nobody to help them.

The government is Boko and it should be Haramed, prohibited.”

“At least so that boys like that should have a job. A boy has no job, then the army will come and arrest him, for what? Then they turned him over to the police and he is killed. I have said it a long time ago that those talking of stability in Nigeria are wrong because you cannot stabilise injustice.

He decried the high level of looting in government and urged the workers to rise up and salvage the nation.

many girlfriends and whenever they offended him, he beat them up. He is a violent person.”

A police source said Arowolo might have strangled his wife before stabbing her in more than 20 places on her head and other parts of her body. From the photographs taken at the scene, her eyes were almost coming out from her skull, the source said.

He added that the suspect used two knives.

However, the source dismissed stories that the deceased’s private part was cut off by the suspect for rituals.

According to the source, pathologists are carrying out forensic examination on the body.

Yesterday, some civil society groups condemned Titilayo’s murder and urged the police to hasten the investigation and prosecute the suspect.

The Executive Director/Coordinator of Project Alert on Violence Against Women, Mrs Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, said the Police should investigate the initial handling of the case by the Investigating Police Officer and ensure that it was not compromised.

The lawyer to the deceased, Mr Nelson Ekoh, said the problem with security agents is that when women report cases of domestic violence, they are asked to go back home and settle as a family affair.

He said if action was earlier taken by security agents, the case would not have gone to this extent.

Ekoh said he was confident that justice would be done, adding that he expected the result of the autopsy by tomorrow.

The suspect’s lawyer, Mr Vincent Obianoyi, said: “From the way it is, the whole saga might have been masterminded by a distant relative of the deceased who has never seen anything good in my client and has always been against the marriage and has sworn to do everything possible to get the marriage scattered. It is not clear for now, but it is pointing towards that direction.”

We know police hqtrs bomber, Ringim tells senators Continued from page 1

ther spreading our dragnet to conduct more intelligence work.”

The National Security Adviser asked worried Senators not to panic as security agencies are on top of the situation.

Another source quoted Gen. Azazi as saying: “Contrary to what people think, the situation is under control; we are on top of the situation; there is no reason to panic.

“We are trying to police all the trouble spots in order to flush out members of the Boko Haram. We will make every part of a no-go area for them.”

He asked Nigerians to “bear the traffic gridlock in some cities.”

But Gen. Azazi hit the nail on the head when he requested for more funds for security agencies to cope with the latest security challenges

nationwide.

“Security agencies need more fund. They got about 10 per cent of what they requested for.

“They require more funds to order some equipment, especially modern gadgets which would enable them to do most of the things that they are now doing manually. For instance, with modern gadgets, there may be no need for roadblocks as any vehicle or person with bomb can easily be detected.

“We have acquired some equipment since the last incident but we need more funds.”

Responding to a question on whether the Boko Haram menace was political or religious, Gen. Azazi said: “Terrorism is a global problem and that is why it is attracting global attention and collaboration.”

The DG of SSS reportedly gave what the source de-

scribed as “an insight” into the Boko Haram group, their antecedents, mode of operation and the crimes they have committed.

Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin said: “We are working hard with other security agencies to protect lives and property nationwide.”

Senate President David Mark reportedly asked the security agencies to check Boko Haram and make the nation safe.

Another source quoted Mark as saying: “The security agencies must rise to the challenge. Nigerians are looking forward to them even though it is a strange crime being committed now.”

But Senators were divided on the outcome of the meeting.

A Senator from the South said: “They (the security chiefs) did not have much to say; we were not impressed

because of the magnitude of the challenges at hand.

“It was one of the reasons why we had no appetite to continue with the screening of ministerial nominees.”

A Senator from the Northeast said: “With their presentation, many senators were not too impressed. While we know that they cannot overnight tackle terrorism, they must be on their toes. Nigerians are becoming agitated.”

Another senator, who is from Northwest, said: “The SSS gave serious and detailed reports that sounded very convincing.

“If I gained anything, the fact-sheet from the SSS, which cannot be divulged to the press, was far-reaching and it made most of us to appreciate the extent of the menace they are trying to curtail.

“With the analysis of the SSS, I had some confidence that the Boko Haram palaver

can be tackled by our security agencies, if they are serious.”

Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba told reporters that the discussions centred on every aspect of security threats, including the Boko Haram.

Ndoma-Egba said the security chiefs assured all that the Boko Haram menace would be curtailed in the shortest possible time. He said the Senate assured the agencies of maximum support in terms of oversight and adequate appropriation.

According to him, the police told the lawmakers that they had made arrests in connection with the Boko Haram bombings, but that the suspects had been released on bail.

He said the police complained of being hampered by lack of clear-cut laws under which the suspects could be prosecuted in court.

“The meeting, however,

agreed that with the Anti Terrorism Act in place, the security agencies are now well placed to prosecute the insurgents under the Act. This will convince the international community of Nigeria’s commitment to the war against terrorism”.

“With the Anti-Terrorism Act, Nigeria will not only benefit from but also share information on security network with other countries in the fight against global terrorism.

“The meeting also stressed the need for the judiciary to be integrated into the network to ensure speedy trial of suspects”, Ndoma Egba said.

Those that met with the senators were the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, Director General of the State Security Service Ita Ekpenyong and Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

NEWS

On trial for alleged embezzlement of N32 billion housing funds and accused of land grabbing, former minister Nasir el-Rufai is no stranger to controversies. His latest row with the authorities over security spending seems curious. Yomi Odunuga and Jide Babalola examine the situation

el-Rufai: Between patriotism and a vindictive hue E VER since his arrest, interrogation and subsequent release by the State Security Service (SSS) last Saturday, the travail of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir elRufai, has dominated the headlines.

Of course, that was not the first time the diminutive former Director-General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) would be courting controversy.

His conduct, both in and outside office, has always generated one row or the other.

And so, when the news broke that he had been picked up by the SSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, over comments he made on the 2011 Appropriation Bill, many Nigerians were anticipating a battle of wits. And that was exactly what they got.

For some reasons, el-Rufai is seen by many as a man who loves to court trouble with both hands. His abrasive tongue, more than anything else, has often put him on the firing line.

A few examples will suffice.

When he was nominated as a minister by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his name was sent to the Senate for screening, el-Rufai was the only nominee that accused the Senate of demanding money before screening the nominees.

Specifically, he said some key members in the Senate leadership had demanded a N45 million bribe to ease his clearance.

Challenged to name the persons involved and his witnesses, el-Rufai said the Almighty Allah was his witness and those he accused of demanding the bribe felt insulted by what one of them described as totally unverifiable evidence. A deft placatory move by Obasanjo resulted in his clearance and deployment in the FCT Ministry.

It was not long before el-Rufai stoked another fire of discord between him and the National Assembly. Arguably the FCT’s most successful Minister in recent years, elRufai’s approach to developmental issues, especially his determination to pull down illegal structures, attracted condemnation and bitter criticisms from both the public and members of the National Assembly who thought things could have been done differently—at least with some injection of ‘human face.’

Accosted by reporters to respond to allegations levelled against him by the Senate concerning the demolition, el-Rufai’s response that ‘’silence is the best answer for fools’’ aggravated the strained relationship between him and the lawmakers.

Feelers from the Senate then indicated that the lawmakers had approached Obasanjo to remove el-Ru-

fai from the cabinet. Obasanjo apologised for el-Rufai’s indiscretion.

Though he was later pardoned, it was clear that many of the senators never really liked his lame apology.

Many other altercations with the authorities were soon to follow. There was his condemnation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s face-off with Obasanjo. So also was his controversial demolition of a property owned by Dr. Ahmadu Ali, the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), in Asokoro. His defence of his stewardship as Minister when the Senate probed his tenure and the controversial allocation of land to some of his close associates, including his wives and children, left many in doubt of his anti-corruption credentials.

There was his critique of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration and how the administration was foisted on Nigerians. His decision to go on exile; his controversial return and trial for allegedly embezzling N32 billion housing funds; and his decision to walk out of the PDP and join the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari-led Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) all indicated that he has parted ways with those in power. Recently he emerged as a columnist in This Day. Few weeks into that venture, el-Rufai’s writing has generated so much dust Though he has argued that, as a citizen of Nigeria, he is exercising his right to free speech through his writings some have argued that, in doing so, elRufai should have been mindful of abusing the privilege that writing confers on him. But the question is: is he doing it for altruistic reason or is there any ulterior motive behind this latest fascination to opinion writing?

A source said the former minister was bitter that he is facing trial for alleged corruption, even as he expects the Presidency to grant him amnesty by entering a nolle prosequi.

Whatever the case, it is increasingly becoming difficult to unravel the elRufai personae. More so when he was once very close to the Yar’Adua/ Jonathan administration under which he once served as a member of the Energy Board. Political watchers are still trying to fathom where the party went awry.

Yet, for the ordinary citizens, some behavioural pattern of the elite remains eternally puzzling. They really can’t understand why the men of power do what they do; why some become turncoats immediately something goes wrong.

They can’t understand the bitter quarrels, the intrigues, blackmail and sudden deep-seated enmity. Why do they turn against one another with such ease and with much venom? How did elRufai find it convenient to turn against Jonathan, whom he once urged to contest election when the zoning debate

• el-Rufai

was raging like wildfire?

The perplexities become even more confounding for some who recall that sometime in May last year, the former minister was praising President Jonathan openly in a manner that suggested unreserved support.

Early in October, last year, el-Rufai, in a blistering attack on Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, described the former military Head of State as being “perpetually unelectable”. He cited the controversial 53 suitcases affair and the extra-judicial execution of the Buhari era as part of the issues that continue to stand against Buhari’s name.

“Bitterness and unfulfilled expectations might be at the root of el-Rufai’s recent outbursts,” some of his critics have said.

However, to those who continue to support Mallam el-Rufai, such conclusions are illogical.

In dissecting this issue, it is important to examine the reasons given by the SSS for el-Rufai’s arrest. The authorities, in a statement issued on Saturday, said he was picked up for questioning because he published falsehood contrary to the tenets of the Freedom of Information Act. el-Rufai was accused of publishing incorrect, inciting and misleading news both on the internet and in a particular Nigeria daily for the purpose of inciting Nigerians against the government, knowing full well that his positions as canvassed in the publications were untrue.

He had, in the said article, alleged

that the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) would be controlling a large chunk of the nation’s annual budget (N208billion) to manage security issues.

The authorities said it was a packaged lie meant to incite the people and cause disaffection against the government. But an adamant el-Rufai insists the figures were obtained from authentic government data.

Though the matter has been resolved ‘’amicably’’ and the planned court action also dropped, the jury is yet to come out with a verdict on how to classify el-Rufai’s latest passion to ‘open up’ government for scrutiny.

While he says it is borne out of a patriotic zeal to make governance transparent and accountable, a school of thought believes that it is a vindictive way of hitting back at government for a relationship that has gone sour.

They wondered why a smart person like el-Rufai would, in his article, lump funds appropriated for the amnesty programme with that of security if he was not out to play games with the intelligence of the people and abuse the privilege of a public commentator.

They said a patriot with the kind of influence wielded by el-Rufai would have sought audience with the President and advise him accordingly. But the man in the eye of the storm has come out to say that it was his prerogative to take a decision and he has chosen to make his thoughts on policy issues known through his weekly column.

Tight security as Jonathan visits Akwa Ibom From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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ECURITY was strengthened yesterday in Uyo, the AkwaIbom State capital as the state got set for today’s visit by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The President is attending the Army Day Celebration.

Soldiers combed sensitive areas to stem possible external attack.

Public places such as hotels were not left out of the security measure.

Besides gracing the Army celebration, Jonathan is expected to open the underground drainage project --The Pipe Jacking Technology, the brain child of Governor Godswill Akpabio to control perennial flooding.

The President had during his visit on July 15, last year described the technology as the first in Africa.

His words: “I am quite happy to be a part of this ceremony to see what the state is doing. One of the projects that is quite interesting to me is the drainage system.

“I think this is the first time I have seen that kind of drainage system, and I believe it must be one of the firsts in Africa. That goes to tell you that our country is growing.”

At the Uyo Township Stadium yesterday, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika, was at the parade of soldiers and the display of various military wares such as machine guns, gunboats and a host of others.

Speaking during the visit of the Army chief to the Government House, Akpabio urged Gen. Ihejirika to find a way of stemming the rising wave of bombings and kidnappings that had gripped the country’s political landscape.

Akpabio appealed to Gen Ihejirika to advise the Federal Government to admit ex-militants of Akwa Ibom origin whom the state government had spent more than N150m for their training and demobilisation at Obudu Cattle Ranch.

The governor said: “This is a trying period for Nigeria especially rampant bomb blast and kidnappings. You may be called upon to maintain internal security and stability.”

He thanked theArmy for supporting and stabilising the country’s democracy. The governor pledged the government’s readiness to partner with the Army.

Gen. Ihejirika, who was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Maj-Gen. Sarkin Y. Bello and Provost Marshal, Maj-Gen. J. D. Pyong and other top military brass was happy that the state government accepted to host the Army celebration.

He explained that the celebration was an annual event that began on July 6, 1978 in Cross River State.

He said six days is set aside yearly to mark the end of Civil War. He pledged the readiness of the Army to partner the state government in ensuring peace, which according to him, is necessary for development.

Alleged N75b fraud: EFCC opposes ex-minister Lawal’s trip for Hajj HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has opposed the application of a former Minister of Works, Alhaji Hassan Lawal for the release of his international passport by a Federal High Court to enable him travel to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

Lawal is facing trial before Justice Adamu Bello alongside 13 others for alleged N75billion fraud.

But on June 21, Lawal approached the court with a Motion on Notice urging the court for “an interim release of his international passport to enable him travel to Saudi Ara-

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From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

bia for lesser Hajj (Umrah).”

The EFCC, through its counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu, opposed the application because lesser Hajj is not obligatory for a Muslim to perform.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the EFCC asked the court to reject Lawal’s request following fears that he might jump bail.

The anti-graft commission’s application said in part: “There is no compelling finality about the lesser Hajj

neither will the non-performance adversely affect the applicant in any way.

“The reason Lawal had canvassed in the affidavit for an interim release of his international passport is not cogent enough in relation to the risk involved in the grant of his application wherewith the likelihood of jumping bail is high.

“It is observed that the risk involved in granting the reliefs sought by the applicant is greater compared to the denial of the applicant herein, especially where he jumps bail, the power of the court to reach him out-

side jurisdiction will be limited and this will put a clog in the wheel of justice” “The eventual breach on the competence of the court by his(Lawal’s) jumping bail will fundamentally affect the further adjudication of this case, the justice of the matter being determined, and perhaps set a bad precedence for other accused persons in this case”.

The EFCC also said that it has challenged the application of the 10th accused , George Elzoghbi, who also filed a 13-paragraph motion on notice, praying the court to release his

travel documents on health grounds.

He claimed that he has a health problem which resulted in an extensive surgery carried out on his back and touching on the spine sometimes in July, 2009.

But the prosecution counsel also told the court that the directive that the international passport of the applicant be deposited with the Court Registry is not in doubt and that if the accused steps outside the country and outside the jurisdiction of the court, his likelihood of jumping bail is very high.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

NEWS Bombings: NSA proffers ICT solution From Dele Anofi and Gbenga Adanikin, Abuja

NATIONAL Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Owoye Azazi has advocated positive use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in curbing the spate of bomb attacks in the country.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Special Session of the National Council on Information and Communication.

The NSA said: “At this particular period of our national life, our country should be portrayed in good light, in view of the prevailing security situation which has been characterised by bombings, maiming of innocent Nigerians and creating an atmosphere of fear, and general insecurity in the minds of the people”.

He said ICT, which would avail the people the right strategy to adopt as well as government’s efforts geared towards the safeguard of people lives and property.

Represented Mr. Wole Olaseinde, the NSA said without information strategy, there would be uncoordinated and disjointed reaction by information officials giving impression that the government is not doing anything or is uncoordinated in its approach to fighting terrorism.

Jonathan seeks speedy screening for Okonjo-Iweala

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has sent the name of World Bank Managing Director, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to the Senate for screening and approval.

He also wrote the Senate to withdraw the nomination of Mr. Tonye Cole, whose name was sent last week for screening.

Through separate letters, Jonathan urged the lawmakers to expedite action on Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s screening, promising to send replacement for Cole, a nominee from Rivers State.

The Senate has been sued by three indigenes of Lagos State - Messrs Funsho Ibra-

•Drops Tonye Cole From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

him, Rahman Pedro and Tajudeen Ogboye.

They are asking the Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop the Senate from approving the nomination of Mr. Olusegun Aganga as a minister.

Also sued are President Goodluck Jonathan; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Aganga.

On behalf of the plaintiffs, their counsel, Mr. Bob Olukoye said the respondents had been served with the notice.

In the affidavit in support of the originating summons deposed to by Tawakalitu Sule, the plaintiffs averred among others “that Aganga is not an indigene of Lagos State, but that of Sabongida Ora, Edo State.

“That if the Senate approves

Andy Uba files objection against Ukachukwu’s petition • Group claims APGA plans to discredit tribunal

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‘Skye Bank GMD not jailed’

By Collins Nweze SKYE Bank yesterday denied reports in some national dailies (not The Nation) that its Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, was jailed.

In a statement, the bank said: ‘’Justice Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, made a Garnishee Order Nisi against the account of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with the bank. An affidavit was filed stating that the Nigeria Customs has revenue collection account with the bank, and as such the balances in the said account belong to the Federal Government, and cannot be attached.”

The bank denied the report that the account is a “No Debit Account”.

It said the court ordered the bank to pay the N6 million from the Federal Government’s money, knowing that the Federal Government is not the judgment debtor, and the money does not belong to the judgment debtor - the Nigerian Customs Service.

The judgment creditor’s lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), also filed papers for contempt proceedings against some principal officers of the bank, including the GMD and the Company Secretary.

•Miss Nduka (right) and Miss Haggerman... yesterday

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Beauty queen at The Nation

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INNER of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2011, Sylvia Nduka, yesterday visited Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation. She was accompanied by Juliette Hagerman, producer of the pageant, and Abudu Mohammed, a presenter with Silverbird Television.

Juliette said the team’s mission was to thank The Nation for its support to the MBGN beauty pageant over the years and strengthen the relationship between Silverbird Group and this newspaper.

She said: “I’m here on behalf of Silverbird Group, organisers of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant. I’m pleased to say thank you for working with us through these years. The MBGN is the most consistent pageant we’ve had in the last 24 years. For 24 years, back to back, we have never failed to produce a queen. We climaxed this in 2001 when Agbani Darego won the Miss World competition in South Africa.

“One of the reasons that we have decided to come is for us to renew the relationship that has existed in the past with The Nation. We also know that some persons were not particu-

By Mercy Michael

larly happy with the way the media was treated and I say to you today that all is in the past.

“This is a new generation queen. The organisers and all the people involved in the production process, we are here to say thank you for all the support you’ve given to us.

“Last week was very good for us. We read all that The Nation did for the Most Beautiful Girl. We ask that you continue to back us. We have come to present to you today The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria and we may as well say that this might just be the next Miss World.

We are proud to bring her here to say you were part of the making of the Most Beautiful Girl, 2011. We crave your support and more support”.

The Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation, Sam Omatseye, assured the guests The Nation would continue to support the pageant.

He said: “We are a newspaper and we see ourselves as the most important newspaper in Nigeria because of the reach and the influence and our capacity to generate enough interest in contemporary developments in Nigeria.”

EFCC calls witness as trial opens in case against Atuche, wife, other

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HE trial of former Managing Director of the Platinum Habib Bank (Bank PHB), Francis Atuche and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) began yesterday, with the prosecution calling its first witness.

the nominee, it would rob indigenes of Lagos State their fair share of representation in the Federal Executive Council.”

They asked the court to declare that it is unconstitutional for the President to nominate Aganga to take the slot of Lagos when he is actually not from the state.

The plaintiffs said it is unconstitutional for the Senate to confirm the nominee un-

der the circumstances.

They said the Senate cannot lawfully approve the nomination of Aganga, who is not an indigene of Lagos, to represent the state in the cabinet.

Aganga’s name was the first in the 20 names of nominees in yesterday’s order paper for screening before the exercise was deferred till today.

The World Bank yesterday said Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala is still in its employment.

Its spokesperson was quoted as saying that the Bank is aware that she had travelled to Nigeria for consultation with President Jonathan.

By Eric Ikhilae and Abike Hassan

Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth and Bank PHB’s former Chief Financial Officer, Ugo Anyanwu are on trial before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja over alleged theft of about N25.7 billion

belonging to the bank.

The first prosecution witness, Mr. Diamond Uju stepped into the witness box to make some opening statements.

He was prevented from proceeding when Deji Sasegbon (SAN), representing Mr. Atuche, raised objection to his

continuation on the ground that his written statement was missing from the proof of evidence served on the defence.

The witness, it was learnt is the Managing Director of Extra Oil Limited, one of the companies allegedly used as a conduit for the purported theft of Bank PHB’s funds.

ORMER Anambra State Governor, Senator Andy Uba has filed a notice of preliminary objection against a petition challenging his election at the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka.

In the notice, Senator Uba is contending that the petitioner, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, “does not have any claim whatsoever to the Senate seat for Anambra South Senatorial District “.

He brought the application just as a group, Justice For All (JFA), raised the alarm over alleged plans by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to discredit the tribunal.

In a statement by its Chairman, Godwin Ndubuisi, and Secretary General, Aminu Busari, the group said it had uncovered plots by the party to tarnish the tribunal.

Describing the plan as “unfair and unjust,” the group warned the party to desist from “unconstitutional acts” and not to attack the tribunal whose members can not defend themselves in newspapers.

“Don’t abuse the freedom of speech as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. With the facts available to us, we will soon expose the party members who are behind the plots to destablise the tribunal, enough is enough,” the group warned.

In his application, Dr Uba averred that “he was the only candidate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fielded for the Anambra South Senatori-

al District election. Ukachukwu is also a PDP member.

Praying the tribunal to dismiss the petition, which he described as an abuse of court process, Senator Uba said some of the matters raised did not qualify as grounds specified in the amended Electoral Act 2010 and the amended constitution for questioning the validity of an election.

The petitioner, he said, did not have the locus standi to present the petition as “he was not a candidate and did not take part in the election”.

In the objection filed by his team of lawyers led by Prof.

Illochi Okafor (SAN), Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN), C.C. Okaa, E.E. Egbunonu and F.I. Aniukwu, Senator Uba is also challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Senator Uba averred that the petitioner was neither the PDP candidate nor that of any other party in the election.

He argued that the petitioner did not participate in the primary elections in accordance with the PDP constitution, adding that Ukachukwu, as at January 31, which was the deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for receiving the list of candidates from parties knew he was not a candidate at the election.

“The petitioner did not participate in any primaries in line with the constitution of PDP.” Senator Uba said, adding that the purported submission of the petitioner’s name or any other document of nomination was a ruse.

Alleged treason: Udoedehe opposes police application

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, John Akpanudoedehe has urged an Abuja Federal High Court to dismiss an application by the police seeking transfer of alleged treason charge against him to Uyo division of the court.

Justice Adamu Bello fixed August 1, for ruling yesterday after the Police moved the motion which was opposed by the former Federal Capital Territory Minister.

The Prosecution Counsel, R. E Nkem asked that the case be transferred to the Uyo division, saying the Police intend to consolidate it with another

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

case of arson and murder against the ex minister in Uyo. Since the alleged offences were committed in Akwa Ibom State, Nkem urged the court to transfer the case to Uyo for the convenience of witnesses and parties in the suit.

Opposing the application, Counsel to the ex minister, Mr. Kola Awodehin (SAN),urged the court to dismiss the application. He said the prayers sought cannot be granted because there is no law which confers on the court the power to transfer a case for consolidation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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NEWS STATE OF FEDERAL ROADS

Southwest PDP demands party chair From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

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HE Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration of marginalising the zone in the distribution of positions .

The zone, which expressed grave concern after the loss of House Speaker’s slot also demanded the chairmanship of the PDP as compensation.

Speaking under the banner of Southwest PDP Advocacy Group, comprising former lawmakers, Chairmen of local governments, appointed state functionaries in Oyo, Osun, Ondo,Ekiti Ogun and Lagos states , the Zone asked President Jonathan to prevail on the party’s National Secretariat to concede PDP National chairmanship seat to the Southwest.

The group made their position known yesterday during a chat with reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, through its Coordinator, Bayo Akinloye.

Also present at the press briefing were the group’s Secretary, Mrs Dolapo Abiola and Director of Publicity, Niyi Ojo, among others.

•Umumba road...scrapped, abandoned

Reps may defy PDP over Leader NOTHER crisis seems to be brewing in the House of Representatives over the choice of House Leader and other principal officers.

There are indications that Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and some ranking members of the House are working against the decision of the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola be picked as the House Leader.

The move to consider representative Akande-Adeola for the position is believed to have the blessing of the Presidency to compensate the Southwest zone over the loss the Speaker’s position which was originally reserved for the region.

The woman-lawmaker, who was tipped by the PDP lost out in the contest to lead the lower chamber of the National Assembly to Aminu Tambuwal from the Northwest.

A lawmaker who spoke under anonymity revealed that the Speaker and his team would rather have the woman as the Chief Whip, rather than being the Majority Leader.

Two ranking members of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor and Hon. Friday Itulah from South-South are also said to be in contention for the position of the House Leader.

A

•9th Mile Corner area of the road

PHOTOS: CHRIS OJI

A deadly road called Enugu-Onitsha Expressway

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HE Enugu and Onitsha axis was the economic mainstay of the old Eastern Region (now Southeast zone). Not any more. Social and business activities are dying–no thanks to the deplorable state of the highway linking Enugu, Awka and Onitsha.

As against the good old days when a trip from Enugu to Akwa and Enugu to Onithsa would take 90 minutes, motorists now spend a minimum of five hours to cover the same distant .Such is the lot of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway built in the 70s by the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo.

Travelling on the road has become nightmarish, with motorists often abandoning the highway to reroute their trips through the old road from Udi to Awka.

There have been many stories about the highway even as motorists die in accidents on the road especially at the Ugwu-Onyeama coal mine spot. The point has in recent time become motorists for robbery and accidents.

The contractors hired to fix the road abandoned it. They have since withdrawn their equipment and barricaded some sections of the road.

Nobody can say exactly the content of the memorandum of the contract.

The contractors - Messrs CCC Con-

Obi writes Fed Govt on poor state of highways

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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has applied to the Federal Government for permission to fix all deplorable highways within his

domain.

If granted, the state government will fund its rehabilitation.

Obi, who inaugurated the first phase of Ngozika Housing Estate yesterday, regretted the condition of some roads in the state, telling his audience that he had sent his request to the appropriate authority.

He listed those requiring urgent attention as; the dual carriage road from Amansea to Amawbia and from the Head Bridge at Onitsha to Zik’s Round about.

He said: “The present government will soon start the construction of shopping malls and hotels in parts of the state for the good and development of the state in line with global practices.”

Also inaugurated within the estate were the water and electricity project.

At the inauguration, Obi assured the people that his

From Chris Oji, Enugu

struction Company, ascribe their non performance to the non release of funds by the government. They said the project was abandoned out of frustration.

More painful to Enugu residents

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

administration would continue to pay attention to the development of housing as part of efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

He flagged-off the construction of the second phase of the housing scheme.

Expectedly, the project will have full compliments of drainages, electricity, shopping mall, water, fire station, tennis courts, clinic, police post, club house, restaurants and schools.

He therefore charged those allotted plots in the estate to commence immediate development, urging his Special Adviser on Housing and Urban Development Mr. Law Chinwuba to issue a deadline at the expiration of which all underdeveloped plots would be seized and reallocated.

Obi reiterated commitment to develop Awka as a befitting capital, even as he reeled out the projects implemented by his administration in the capital city.

is the fact that the firm scrapped the right lane of the Enugu-Onitsha road before last Christmas, thereby leaving it unusable.

Abakpa and Trans-Ekulu-bound travellers have no option but to struggle on the remaining lane

with long trucks travelling from the North and Onitsha to PortHarcourt and Abakaliki.

At the Ugwu Onyeama Hill, motorists complain that despite the erosion at the coal mine area, the construction company has left the place more terrifying than it met it.

Adebo seeks people-based anti-corruption programmes ITHOUT a national and people-based anti-corruption policy and programme, the nation’s fight against corruption is doomed, the Federal Commissioner of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for Southwest, Dr. Ademola Adebo said yesterday.

He also noted that to combat cor-

W

ruption; there is a need for a paradigm shift from the “present mindset that treats corruption as a ‘charge and bail’ issue (although this approach is glamorous and makes the headlines) to a disciplined, multi-disciplinary, holistic and intellectually-inclined approach that must, in the main, engage the people. This, he said,

should move the people from passivity to pro-activity.

Adebo spoke yesterday in Shanghai, China while delivering a paper on the “Techniques in Investigating Corruption- The Code of Conduct Bureau Experience” at the 3rd seminar of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authority (IAACA).

In the paper made available to reporters online, the CCB commissioner said to combat the monster of corruption in Nigeria, the country must implement the national anti-corruption policy and programmes to the letter, define national anti-corruption goals and implementation strategies.

Retraction OUR attention has been drawn to an advert placed on page 36 of The Nation on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 by one Alh. Danlade Pasali, then PRO, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) alleging that a product Loan facility was not accounted for by the then immediate past Executive of the Association led by Engr.

Olatunde Runsewe.

This issue has now become a subject of litigation before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

We hereby retract the publication and regret the inconveniences it might have caused Engr. Runsewe and all others involved in the matter.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

NEWS Bauchi lawmaker, others get bail

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BAUCHI State High Court has granted bail to a member of the House of Assembly, Yusuf Nuhu, who represents Toro State Constituency, and nine others.

They were charged with attempted murder.

Nuhu, who contested the Assembly election and won on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the nine others have been in detention since April.

The lawmaker-elect and the other accused were arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court.

They were charged with the attempted murder of former Commissioner for Rural Development, Mahiru Maiwada Wandi; a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

candidate, Hussaini, and former Commissioner for commerce, Yakubu Jibrin, during the last governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Ben Ogbuchi, had filed an application for bail but Chief Magistrate Mohammed Sambo refused to grant it.

He appealed before the state High Court.

But the government, through its Director Public Prosecution, Dawud Yakubu, filed murder charges against the accused before the state High Court.

Ruling on the bail application yesterday, Sambo granted the accused bail for N700,000 each with two sureties residing within the court’s jurisdiction.

Suswam sends 16 commissioners’ list to Assembly

• Director, Job Creation, Ministry of Special Duties, Mrs Olabisi Onayemi; the Commissioner, Dr. Wale Ahmed (middle); and Permanent Secretary, Dr Aderemi Desalu, at a training programme at CMD, Magodo, Lagos…yesterday

Audu: Those criticising my defection to ACN have failed

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam has sent the list of 16 commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for screening and approval.

The letter was yesterday read on the floor of the House by Majority Leader, Paul Biam, of Ukum State Constituency.

It contains the names of eight former commissioners and eight new ones.

The former commissioners are: John Mgbede, John Tondo, Omadochi Oklobia, Benjamin Ashaver, Chive Kaave, Dr. Eugene Alegba, and Dr. Abunku.

The new names are: Mrs. Ugol (from University of Jos), Conrad Wergba, Aondowase Chia, Alex Adum, Simon Kwaghbula, Mrs. Elizabeth Alagh, Comfort Ajene and Dr. Omenka.

The Speaker, Terhemen Tarzor said members would thoroughly screen the nominees tomorrow to enable the governor to form his executive council.

Also, nine of the 17 special advisers approved by the Assembly have been named. They include Dr. Cletus Tyokyaa, Emmanuel Atser, Agbo Madaki, Prof. P. T. Ahile, Sebastian Agbinda, Chris Dura, and Bernard Nenger.

Group accuses Sambo of interference

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OME members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State have accused VicePresident Mohammed Namadi Sambo of interfering with Governor Patrick Yakowa.

In a statement by the group, under the auspices of the Kaduna Concerned PDP Forum and signed by its Chairman, Usman Mohammed, it also accused Sambo of nominating his wife’s classmate as a minister, thereby ignoring the list of names t submitted by the governor.

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

They expressed fear that the continued interference could undermine peace in the state.

The statement reads: “We have observed with nostalgia the fact that the Vice-President Namadi Sambo has continued to interfere unjustly in the running of Kaduna State thereby denying Governor Patrick Yakowa a free hand to run the state.

“This has been brought to the fore by the way he has been meddling in the nomination for appointments of people from Kaduna State...”

Why Taraba wants nominee dropped From Sanni Ologun, Abuja

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HE Senate has been urged not to clear the former Minister of Water Resources, Obadiah Ando, as the minister representing Taraba State in President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet.

Indigenes of the state, under the auspices of Concerned Citizens of Taraba State, told reporters in Abuja that Ando’s nomination was not the consensus of the state stakeholders but that of “one man”.

•Ex-governor meets with Tinubu, ACN governors today

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ORMER Kogi State Governor Prince Abubakar Audu yesterday said those criticising his defection from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) have failed.

Audu addressed reporters in Abuja through one of his aides, David Dare Olatunde, in reaction to criticisms that he should not join the ACN. Describing ACN as the only vibrant opposition party in Nigeria, Audu said Lagos State former governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transformed the Southwest without joining the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The former governor said he could not stay in ANPP because the party “decided to join President Goodluck Jonathan’s GNU, not considering that it is an opposition party”.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Audu said: “Those criticising my joining ACN have already failed because that is the party to be now. People are tired of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria. They want to move towards the progressive side of life. If you look at all the political parties in Nigeria now, you will see that it is only the ACN that has the programme that will benefit the masses. All the ACN governors are performing.

“Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a pathfinder. He was able to groom someone like the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN). Lagos State is a mini-London in Nigeria.

Kogi State cannot be left out of this kind of development.

We must join them in the progressive side of governance. That is why we are moving into ACN where

we know that our dreams will be achieved, which is good governance.”

The former governor said he had been in ANPP since 1999, as one of its founding-fathers, adding that he had remained consistent with the party.

Audu said he was not involved in money politics, a reason he did not defect from ANPP since inception.

He said ANPP national leadership had been informed of his defection to ACN. The former governor said he defected to ACN because of what was happening in ANPP. He said: “We at the state level have taken PDP to court over the conduct of the 2011 election, and if at the national level, they want to join the GNU when there is no war in the country, then what do you want us to do? That means we have lost the moral ground to pursue our case to a logical

Election tribunal rejects Saraki’s, PDP’s application

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HE National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday threw out an application by Senator Bukola Saraki and the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) senatorial candidate, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe.

Saraki had, in the application, prayed the court to dismiss Oloriegbe’s petition

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

because his (Oloriegbe’s) application for pre-hearing did not comply with Section 47 of the Procedure for Election Petition as contained in the Electoral Act. The tribunal held that election petitions could not be thrown out on the grounds of technicalities.

Oloriegbe is challenging the victory of Saraki as Senator for Kwara Central.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Bitrus Ghazama Sanga, held that rather than throw out cases on the grounds of technicalities, substantive justice must be seen to have been done in all election petition cases.

Justice Sanga said he relied on Rule 53 (1) and (2) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended.

The section states that an election tribunal shall not void proceedings that are

Group urges Kaduna to address ‘lapses in governance’

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COALITION of Muslim groups in Kaduna State yesterday said peace would continue to elude the state if the government fails to address what it called “lapses in the administration of justice on the recent postelection violence”.

Addressing reporters in Kaduna, the coalition, comprising the WAFF Road

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Mosque Forum; Vision Trust Foundation; Network for Justice; and Coalition of Muslim Women Organisations, said until the government correct the lapses, there might be reprisal attacks in parts of the state.

Spokesman of the coalition

conclusion. We cannot join PDP and be fighting PDP at the tribunal. It would be a lost case.

“Some of those criticisms (against his defection) are from a faceless group. Edo is not a Kogi name. That person is a rented person or sponsored article. Kogi people are waiting to receive ACN.” A source close to Audu said he is expected to hold a closeddoor meeting with Tinubu, other party leaders and ACN governors in Lagos today, to finalise his defection.

The source said: “We are going to Lagos now for the crucial meeting and this is to formalise the defection.

Tinubu is happy with the development, and July 11 will be the official declaration in Kogi State. After the official declaration, we will move to the field. It will never be business as usual again.

and former Managing Director of the defunct Nigeria Airways, Capt. Mohammed Joji, called for the dissolution of the Justice Muhammed Lawal Bello-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry established by the state government to probe the April post-election violence.

Joji said the Muslim community had lost confidence in the

commission, adding that it should be dissolved.

He accused the government of “travesty of justice” against displaced persons, who were allegedly chased out of the camps, where they had been staying since the April violence.

The government reportedly directed the internallydisplaced persons to vacate

camps because they had allegedly been paid between N15,000 and N25,000 each to enable them secure accommodation.

Joji alleged that the government was embarking on selective dispensation of justice, warning that “failure of justice in any human society is more dangerous to society than crime itself”.

Saraki

irregular.

He said the tribunal has the power to either set it aside or amend it.

Other members of the tribunal are Justices John Awa Viko and Steven Evo Chukwu.

Addressing reporters later, Oloriegbe said: “The position of their Lordship is commendable because it is in the interest of the public. We commend their courageous position that substantive justice is done as contained in their readiness to hear the main petition.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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NEWS Post-election violence: ‘Govt, others ignored early warning signals’ From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

PARTICIPANTS at a one-day roundtable on the postelection violence in parts of the North yesterday said the violence that followed the announcement of the presidential election result could have been avoided if the government and security agents had heeded early warning signals.

The participants noted that the decline in family and moral values in the country, rather than poverty and lack of education, were responsible for the violence and other crises in Nigeria.

In a communiqué issued after the discussion and signed by the Secretary of the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), organisers of the roundtable, Dominic Uzu, the participants said security agents need to analyse situations on time and make their findings available to the governor for prompt action.

They noted that the failure of leadership, particularly in the North, had led to the loss of respect for traditional and religious leaders.

They emphasised the need to enhance intelligence gathering by security agents, who must “properly analyse situations and make available to the chief executives (governors) such security reports to enable them take appropriate measures to prevent violence from occurring and curtailing them before they spread when they happen”.

The communiqué reads: “There is the need to improve the electoral system in the country and create a better electoral system, which should discourage the announcement of election results at night. There is need to have in place a law to establish an electoral offences tribunal, which will address issues of electoral offences like electoral violence.

FCT minister targets higher revenue From Bukola Amusan,Abuja

THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, yesterday said he would strive to increase the territory’s internally generated revenue (IGR) to enable the administration provide more infrastructure.

At a briefing in Abuja, Mohammed, who took over from the Permanent Secretary, Nathaniel Olorunfemi, said he was returning to the ministry with greater vigour to reposition the FCT administration for more achievements.

He said his administration would establish institutional frameworks that would stand the test of time.

Mohammed said he has a dream to make the FCT administration selfsustaining in IGR to tackle infrastructural gaps in the Federal Capital Territory.

Ekiti rape suspects beg for bail T HE gravity of their alleged act dawned on the suspected rapists of a 17year old student of University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD) yesterday.

Tope Adeniyi and Cosmos Betiku, both 500-level students of UNAD, burst into tears at the Ekiti Police Command, begging their victim’s father, Alhaji Ade, for forgiveness.

The suspects, in handcuffs, on sighting the Alhaji, prostrated before him, asking him to prevail on the police to grant them bail.

Onlookers watched the drama. Some shook their heads in pity, others said they deserved what they got; yet others appealed to the victim’s parents to temper justice with mercy.

The suspects, allegedly raped the pre-degree student at Adehun, Ado-Ekiti, about 7p.m., last Friday.

The victim’s mother, Mrs Adewunmi said she brought her children up well, adding that she knew her daughter could not have been aware of her so-called friend’s plan.

The victim was said to have been lured to the suspects’ residence by a friend.

Mrs Adewunmi said: “I know my daughter does not move with bad groups. I know she could not have been associated with those boys. I want to say she does not miss her five daily prayers as we are

•Cosmos From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

muslims, including her little sister who stays with her.

“We were at the hospital and the result of the medical examination done on her revealed she had actually been raped. Both the trousers and the top she wore were stained with blood. Nobody can deny she was raped.”

At the Police Headquarters, the suspects were shielded from an angry members of the public.

Their parents made efforts to seek their release.

The Nation gathered that the suspects had admitted to committing the crime and are still making statement to assist the police in their investigations.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Mohammed Jimoh confirmed that the sus-

•Tope

pects had owned up to the crime, adding that after preliminary investigations, they would be charged to court.

On the rumour that the parents of the suspects and their supposed female accomplice were rooting for their realease, Jimoh said it was impossible for anyone to imagine that the police could be compromised. The police, he said, could not pervert justice when the suspects themselves had admitted that they committed the crime.

“The divisional Police officer said they admitted the crime. He has brought the case file where the three made useful statements, admitting to what they did and the roles they played.

“I can assure you that the police is on top of the case.

The three will be charged to court as soon as we are able to

conclude our investigations. I want to also say that this is not a case that anybody can twist in any way, more so that the two have said they raped the female student. This is not an issue of someone said they admitted. It is an issue of self confession. The police will do its job well”, Jimoh said.

However, a source told The Nation that the suspects were notorious for such ‘runs’ around Adehun, Alao French area where they cruise about in a “high class saloon car.”

He referred to them as “yahoo boys” with whom no child with good upbringing should be seen.

By the time this reporter left Police Headquarters, the parents of all the parties were seen discussing.

The mother of suspected accomplice, Sadiat confirmed that her daughter said she was the one who took the victim to where she was allegedly raped.

She said after the police case, she would still punish Sadiat for dragging the family name in the mud.

“I as a mother do not deserve this treatment at all,not even from Sadiat to whom I gave everything. How Sadiat can suddenly begin to live this kind of life baffles and rattles me. She would not depart from whereever you instructed her to stay. I am indeed disappointed.”

•Fayemi (right) presenting a cheque to one of the beneficiaries Mr. Fabiyi Olufemi. With them (from left) are: Bodunrin; Oriyomi and the Director-General of the State Enterprise Development Agency, Mr. Seyi Ayeleso, in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday.

Fayemi lifts 14 young entrepreneurs with N20m

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KITI State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi yesterday disbursed N20 million to 14 graduate entrepreneurs. The gesture was part of his administration’s effort to fast-track the industrial development of the state.

The beneficiaries, who had participated in a specialised trainings under the supervision of the State Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) got between N500,000 and N2.

9 million to enable them set up cottage industries.

Fayemi described the beneficiaries as the first batch out of 85 trainee-graduates of Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) co-sponsored by the state government and the Bank of Industry (BOI).

The beneficiaries had earlier sharpened their skills in dif-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ferent vocational fields, including block making, timber production, yam flour processing, cassava processing, animal feed mill and confectionary.

The governor said his administration’s intervention was based on a conviction that the beneficiaries were industrious.

Fayemi who stressed that the funds were not given as political patronage, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds so that they would be able to pay back in due course; assuring that government would continue to support them in managing their projects.

He said: “The fund is a loan that is expected to be paid back as outlined in the agreement you have entered into. It is therefore imperative for me to charge you to make a judicious use of the fund so as to achieve the dual purpose of making yourselves economically viable and create a pool of wealth creation for others.”

The governor, however urged the SEDA to ensure constant monitoring of the beneficiaries to ensure their success and assured that the largesse will be extended to other trainee graduates.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Otunba Remi Bodunri expressed satisfaction at the process leading to the selection of the beneficiaries; saying that he was optimistic

that government’s investment would not be squandered.

The representative of the BOI, Mr Olasunkanmi Oriyomi expressed his bank’s delight to partner with the state on the laudable project, urging more state governments to embrace such steps.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Sola Ajibare, who trained in concrete block making, promised that they would make judicious use of the fund; saying they would strive not only to employ people but also train other unemployed youths to become employers of labour for the economic growth of the state.

He, however, commended the governor for the kind gesture; adding that it marked a major step towards the industrialisation of the state.

Ogun PDP allays fears over nominees

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HE Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bashorun Dayo Soremi, has allayed the fears of party members over the state’s ministerial nominees.

He spoke against the backdrop of the protests that followed the announcement of the names of former Nigeria’s High Commissioner in South Africa, Gbenga Ashiru; and an executive of Rockefeller Foundation,Mr. Adewunmi Adesina, as ministerial nominees.

In a statement yesterday, Soremi said the party’s state Executive Council was happy at the civilised manner in which aggrieved members expressed their views.

He said though most of the issues could not be ignored, the party leadership was in touch with the nominees to ensure that they do not disappoint the people.

Soremi distanced members of his executive council from the purported inauguration of a “PDP Youth Vanguard” and the emergence of former Presidential aide, Mrs Titi Ajanaku, as leader of PDP Women’s Forum.

He said the December 20, 2010 suspension of the former Secretary of the party, Chief Pegba Otemolu, still stands, adding that his assistant, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo, is the acting Secretary.

The statement reads in part: “We note with interest the anger and protests that have greeted the nominations of Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru and Mr. Adewunmi Adesina as ministerial candidates. The reactions of our party leaders, elders and stakeholders were not unexpected. That is the beauty of democracy.

“But we wish to assure our teeming party members that the leadership of the party is on top of the situation. We are in touch with the nominees and they have promised that they will be good ambassadors of the state.

“We appeal to our members to sheathe their swords and support them in contributing their quota to the achieving the transforma-

Crusade for needy women

By Dada Aladelokun

W

OMEN who are looking unto God for the fruits of the womb will tomorrow have a golden opportunity to encounter God and thus have sweet tales to tell in appreciation of God’s mercy. Reason: An annual crusade holds at the Idi-Oro, Lagos parish of the Christ Apostolic Mission Church (CAMC).

Pastor-in-charge of the parish, Isaac Akinyele, who also clocks 40 tomorrow, told The Nation that the crusade would provide a rare opportunity for various spiritually needy women to enjoy God’s mercy.

“We are expecting women from every part of the country to come and enjoy the special grace which they can’t get from the devil. No matter the weight of your problem, it is like the tiniest matter in God’s hands. God is waiting to shame that devil who says you won’t bear children,” Akinyele assured.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

NEWS

Woman urges court to sack lawmaker From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has adjourned till October 25 a suit filed by Mrs. Victoria Ayeni challenging the nomination of Olusola Sonuga by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP are joined in the suit.

Mrs. Ayeni is alleging the“illegal and fraudulent” substitution of her name for Sonuga’s in the April 26 House of Assembly election.

She is asking the court through her counsel, Dele Ajasa, to nullify the Certificate of Return issued to Sonuga by INEC and declare her the candidate and winner of the election in Ikenne state constituency.

Mrs. Ayeni also urged the court to declare that she was eligible to contest for the election having won the primary election conducted by the Ogun State chapter of PDP, which submitted her name to INEC. The plaintiff urged the court to determine if having regards to Sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act 2010, Ogun State PDP can without the consent or notice of withdrawal of nomination can instruct INEC to remove her name and replace it with Sonuga’s.

Sonuga’s counsel Mrs. Ajetumobi Ronke and INEC’s counsel Ilo Justin requested for an adjournment to enable them file their responses.

Justice Rita Ajumogobia fixed October 25 for hearing of the suit to allow the defendants time to file their counter–claims.

Mimiko calls for Southwest economic integration

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NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday said regional integration devoid of politics would accelerate economic development in the Southwest.

The governor spoke in Akure, the state capital, when representatives of Obas-in-Council from Lagos State visited him.

He said: “I believe that our integration should be based on ideas. We are a people with the same basic language; we are a people that are culturally harmonious.

“A typical Oyo man; Ondo

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

man; Ekiti man; Lagos man, in terms of their views and aspirations, they are the same.

“This is what we want to leverage upon. Politicians come, politicians go. A few years ago, nobody heard about the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), there was no contraption known as Labour Party (LP), but ideology is in the minds of human beings, not in the name of parties.

“Whatever we do, we must always think of the greater interest of our peo-

ple. Politics, parties are only a vehicle and that vehicle could change anytime. The basic ingredient is our people that will remain.

“If we have economic integration in the Southwest and leverage on the advantage of our geography and our size, ultimately it will be for the growth of our economy, not only in Yoruba states, but Nigeria.

“I can say without any equivocation that in the spectrum of political divide in Nigeria, from the history, pedigree and antecedents of the governments that we have in the South-

west today, one can safely say that we are all progressive governments in the Southwest.”

The Secretary of the Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Aladeshoyin of Odo-Noforija, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja and the Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi commended Mimiko for his development drive.

Others present include the Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government, Chief Olanrewaju Elegushi, the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida and the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

Amosun meets labour leaders

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday assured civil servants that he would look into the minimum wage issue.

Amosun said the state workforce is crucial to his administration, adding that he would partner union leaders in the “rebuilding mission” in Ogun.

The governor spoke during a two-hour meeting with labour unions in the state.

The meeting was attended by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ambali Olatunji;

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Chairman of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council Committee Sunday Adeegbe and Chairman, Trade Union Council (TUC), Seyi Adebanjo, among others.

The unions commended the government for its labour friendly policies.

Olatunji said the Amosun administration has started on a good note with the rehabilitation of some roads, especially in Sango-Ota axis.

‘Ekiti committed to education’

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HE Ekiti State Government has reiterated its commitment to provide free and compulsory education in public schools and qualitative education in private schools.

Deputy Governor Mrs. Funmi Olayinka spoke yesterday at the presentation of N1.5miliion to the management of Corpus Christi College, Ilawe Ekiti.

She said: “Government is committed to the successful implementation of its eight-point agenda for the development of the state, which includes ensuring that the highest standard of education is provided.

“We are determined to provide education in the most conducive environment possible; we want to strive to enshrine good learning and teaching culture to ensure that we attain our goal in education.

“We will provide a good learning environment, good physical structures and adequate teaching aids in our schools.”

Oyo lawmakers to combat flood

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HE Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday began compiling a list of streams, rivers, and bridges prone to flood in the state.

It was gathered that the state is seeking assistance from the Federal Government on the control and prevention of flood.

The inventory, it was learnt, is part of recommendations by lawmakers who visited flooded areas in Ibadan, the state capital, af-

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

ter Sunday’s heavy downpour which claimed lives and property.

The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has been directed to carry out the exercise.

The House report was read

by Majority Leader Kunle Oyeniran, representing Oluyole during plenary yesterday.

Patent drug dealers protest in Ibadan From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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ATENT medicine dealers in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday staged a peaceful protest against the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).

They warned the council against the continued raid of their shops and called on Governor Abiola Ajimobi to call PCN to order.

The dealers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), said pharmacists should honour court rulings, which have confirmed that they have the right to operate.

They also said they don’t sell fake drugs, stressing that only pharmacists make and import drugs and that they only sell what they buy from them.

Their leader, Moses Alebiowu, said despite a court ruling and another suit at the Federal High Court, Ibadan, PCN continues to raid shops of patent medicine dealers.

Alebiowu said: “Judgment was delivered in our favour on September 24, 1996. This judgment is still valid today.”

•From right: Mimiko; Oba Elegushi; Oba Ogunlaja and Oba Kiladejo at the Government House, Akure...yesterday

Lagos may halt road maintenance due to rain

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HE Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) has appealed to Lagosians to bear with the low rate of its road maintenance in the rainy season.

The rains are anticipated to continue till the fourth quarter of the year, thereby posing serious challenges to production of asphalt– the main input in road building.

LSPWC Chairman Gbenga Akintola said road maintenance activities worldwide suffer serious setbacks dur-

By Miriam Ndikanwu

ing the rains.

“Our maintenance crew will be operating below capacity at this period, to avoid deliberate waste of tax payers’ money as work done would only need a couple of rains to be washed away,” he said.

Akintola said efforts were being made to take advantage of the use of Interlocking Paving Stones and improve the quality of materi-

als used for the Lean Concrete Mix method.

“These two methods will allow us continue to intervene in critical spots with palliative measures, to alleviate the pain that poor road conditions might bring to the people, since we can only do very little in terms of lasting maintenance work.”

Akintola urged Lagosians to desist from habits that can further worsen the state of roads.

“Such habits, which have

been repeatedly stated in the corporation’s advocacy campaign in the print and electronic media, are dumping of waste in drains; indiscriminate cutting of roads; cooking on roads; burning of items on roads; excessive axle load and discharge of car wash water on roads, among others.”

He, however, assured that full maintenance work will resume as soon as the rains subsides.

Ondo police arrest two brothers, 18 others

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HE Police in Ondo State have arrested 20 suspected criminals, including two brothers, who allegedly robbed their mother of N1.5 million.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani Magaji, said six of them were arrested for kidnapping and five for robbery.

Magaji said three people were arrested for allegedly killing a baby for rituals; four

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

were apprehended for alleged vandalism.

According to him, a woman was arrested for breaking into a shop and stealing some wares.

The commissioner said two robbery gangs, which operated in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, had been arrested in the state.

He said a body was recovered from one of the gangs.

The brothers, Azuka Okeke and Blessing Okeke, confessed that they stole N1.25million from their mother, Mrs Ayodele Okeke, a petroleum product marketer, based in Okitipupa.

Magaji said the money was recovered from the gang. Other members of the gang are

Godwin; Peretu Fredrick; Ugochukwu Nwosu and Akindele Ogunmusere.

He said they were arrested inside a hotel in Okitipupa while strategising on how to rob Mrs. Okeke.

Blessing, a 300 level Political Science student at the Novena University, Kwale, Delta State, said he stole the money from his mother’s bedroom.

Ringim urged to intervene over Ataoja

T •Ringim

HE trials of the deposed Ataoja of Osogbo, Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, are far from over as Sogbo Ruling House, comprising the Gbaemu and Oluawo-Oba Royal families, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Rigim, to ensure that the state police command enforce the court order sacking Olanipekun from the throne.

The families said Ringim

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

should order the Commissioner of Police, Solomon Olusegun, to withdraw the policemen posted to the palace.

The family heads, Nasiru Oyeniyi and Cladius Fayoyiwa, urged Governor Rauf Aregbesola to put an end to the flouting of the June 27 court ruling that removed the Atao-

ja.

The duo urged the state council of traditional rulers not to allow Olanipekun attend any meeting.

A human rights group, Committee for Democracy and the Rights of the People (CDRP) has written Aregebsola of its intention to stage a protest if the government would not enforce the court order that sacked Olanipekun.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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NEWS Oshiomhole warns teachers

Ministers list priorities

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From Bukola Amusan, Tayo Owolabi Genevieve Ajewole, Tayo Owolabi, Abuja

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INISTERS have listed their priority areas as they settle down to business.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Bala Mohammed said he will seek ways to increase the Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) accruable to the city in order to provide more infrastructure.

Mohammed took over from Permanent Secretary, Nathaniel Olorunfemi yesterday.

He reiterated that his administration will continue to open new frontiers by ensuring that institutional framework is put on ground to enable such initiatives stand the test of time.

According to him, he has a dream to make the FCT Administration become selfsustaining in terms of internally generated revenue that can tackle all infrastructural gaps.

The Minister said he will push all the procurement processes in 2011 appropriation to their logical conclusions to enable residents enjoy dividends of democracy.

He expressed the unflinching loyalty of all the civil servants in the services of the administration.

Aviation Minister Mrs. Stella Oduah Ogiemwonyi said airport safety, security and passengers’ safety would be her priority.

She vowed to build on her predecessor’s achievements and produce a road map for the sector within seven days, which according to her would be instrumental in the implementation of the President’s Transformation Agenda.

The minister assumed duties yesterday.

She said: “I realise that I am here among experienced professionals and technocrats and want to assure you that I am here to continue the good work of my predecessor .

Safety, security and passenger comfort will continue to be our number one priority in line with our already achieved level of standard.”

“The category-one status of our Aviation Industry, total radar coverage of Nigeria Air Space, and other landmark achievements of this ministry must be sustained in Airport Infrastructure, meteorological and navigational services, airport security and facilitation to attain the zero accident level as expected by the present administration, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the world at large with the slogan – safety, safety and safety.”

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola(second left) and his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori greeting some local government chairmen after the Joint Allocation Commttee (JAC) meeting at the Governor’s office on Monday

Assassins kill patient on hospital bed

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NKNOWN gunmen yesterday stormed the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, killing a patient and injuring a nurse.

The patient, Richard Odili, President-General of Utchi Community Youths in Ndokwa East Local Government, was admitted into the amenity ward on June 29.

It was gathered that the hoodlums, who were dressed in mobile police

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

uniform, entered the ward at about 8.30pm, went straight to the patient’s room and shot him.

Sources said two of the hoodlums first entered the ward and made an inquiry, after which they returned in company of other gunmen.

The gunmen reportedly escaped through a back door.

A nurse, who tried to stop them, was shot in the thigh.

The hospital’s Managing Director, Dr. Leo Erhumwunse, declined to speak on the incident, saying “the matter is now with the police who came here to investigate”.

The deceased’s brother, Patrick, said he was in the hospital to treat a poisonrelated ailment.

He said he was not aware

if Richard, an oil dealer, had any problem with his associates or friends.

Patrick said the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), which his brother parked in the hospital was missing.

He said the family was waiting for the police to come up with their findings.

Police spokesman Charles Muka said investigation was in progress.

Tribunal throws out Uduaghan’s applications again

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HE Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday formulated key issues for determination in the January 6 governorship rerun, following a series of issues tabled by the first, second, and third respondents.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is the first respondent; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) second, and the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) third.

Tribunal Chairman Jus-

T

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

tice Uzoamaka Ogwurike said the issues common to all parties are whether or not the petition is competent with regards to the Electoral Act and the constitution.

Uduaghan’s counsel Ken Mozia told the tribunal that he had filed three applications.

But Justice Ogwurike objected, saying Mozia was delaying the tribunal.

Mozia urged the tribunal to grant subpoenas ad Testifcandum and Duces Tecum on the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Gabriel Ada. He is also seeking the dismissal of the petition of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) governorship candidate Great Ogboru on the grounds that the petition “had become academic, spent, stale, hypothetic and of no value”.

But DPP’s counsel Mogbeyi Sagay (SAN) chal-

lenged the application, arguing that the application was an abuse of court processes.

He argued that a similar application had earlier been struck out by the tribunal on Monday.

Justice Ogwurike struck out the application, but upheld the application for subpoena by the first respondent on the REC. She also dismissed Mozia’s application, urging the tribunal for extension of time.

Five die in Edo, Oyo road accidents

HREE persons died in a multiple accident on Monday on the Auchi-Benin Road at Jattu in Etsako West Local Government in Edo State.

The accident, which involved a trailer, three cars and three motorcycles, was said to have occurred when the trailer conveying some goods rammed into the vehicles, which were caught in traffic.

Eyewitnesses said the

From Osagie Otabor, Benin and Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

vehicles: a Mercedes Benz, an Audi car and a Peugeot 505, were held up in traffic.

The road was allegedly blocked by some persons protesting the cutting of a high-tension wire by a heavy duty vehicle.

The witnesses said men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the police battled to retrieve the mangled bodies of victims

from the wrecked vehicles.

Survivors were rushed to various hospitals in the locality.

Also in Oyo State, two people, including the driver of a commercial minibus, died in an accident in Ibadan, the capital.

The accident occurred at Agbowo Bus Stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Road when an 18-seater commercial minibus bus, with registration number XZ 840 FKJ,

rammed into a stationary trailer.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who confirmed the incident, said several other passengers were injured.

He said the bus was coming from Lagos and heading to Oyo. The DPO attributed the accident to overspeeding.

The bodies had been deposited at the morgue of Adeoyo General Hospital.

Sylva submits nine names for screening

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•Sylva

AYELSA State Governor Timipre Sylva has submitted the names of nine commissioner-nominees to the state Assembly for screening.

Sylva confirmed this in an interview in Yenagoa after his arrival from the opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival Games in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

He said the names of the nominees would be submitted in batches.

Since the dissolution of the executive council in May, Bayelsans have been looking forward to the formation of a new council.

The list, the governor said, comprises old and new nominees.

Sylva said: “Some of the former commissioners, who had served well, will be retained; those who performed poorly will be dropped.

“What I decided to do is to present them in batches so that we don’t delay.

These are very critical times, so they are senior and matured hands that are coming on board.”

On the N18, 000 mini-

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has warned teachers against dereliction of duty, saying government would not hesitate to dismiss them.

Oshiomhole spoke at the foundation-laying of a new State Model School, Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government.

“I have directed the Commissioner for Education to sack any teacher who is not at his duty post without a good reason.

“We will not tolerate appeals and representation once the teacher has been sacked.

“We need to do whatever we must do to ensure our pupils are properly taught by teachers.

“Today, it is sad for one to admit that most of our teachers don’t earn their pay. They alternate, rather than come to school every day. Some come to school for two days, Monday, Tuesday and they go to Onitsha, Wednesday, Thursday and play politics on Friday.

mum wage, the governor said the state is capable of paying but is studying the situation and wants to be cautious about it.

“There is no doubt we will pay, it’s a law that must be obeyed, I‘m committed but I will like to wait until everybody pays.

“We have to be cautious and mindful,” he said.

•Oshiomhole

Muslim coalition threatens violence in Kaduna From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

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COALITION of Muslim groups in Kaduna state yesterday said peace will continue to elude the state unless the state government tackles what they termed certain lapses in the administration of Justice regarding the recent post election violence in the state.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna yesterday, the coalition comprising, the WAFF Road Mosque Forum, Vision Trust Foundation, Network for Justice and Coalition of Muslim Women Organisations, threatened reprisal attacks in parts of the state.

Spokesman of the coalition and former Managing Director of the defunct Nigeria Airways, Capt. Mohammed Joji demanded the immediate dissolution of the Justice Muhammed Lawal Bello-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry established by the Kaduna state government to probe the April violence in the state.

Joji said that the Muslim community in the state had lost confidence in the Commission to dispense justice to them.

He also accused the state government of injustice against displaced people in the state of driving them out of the refugee camps where they have been staying since the violence, describing the government action as a travesty of justice.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

For us at NAICOM, the greatest awareness campaign an insurance company can embark upon is prompt settlement of claims. When an insurance company pays claims promptly, then a lot of Nigerians would begin to have more confidence and people would buy more insurance products Commissioner for Insurance –FOLA DANIEL

Diamond, Skye, UBA rated ‘outperform’

AfDB approves $10.4m equity in African Re

By Daniel Essiet

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NITED Bank for Af rica Plc, Nigeria’s fourth-biggest lender by market value, was rated “outperform” in new coverage by FBN Capital, which initiated monitoring of the West African nation’s nine biggest banks with a “stable-to- positive” outlook.

Diamond Bank Plc and Skye Bank Plc were also rated “outperform,” analysts including Lagos-based Olubunmi Asaolu and Tunde Abidoye wrote in an e-mailed report released on Monday.

“Nigerian banks are in their most healthy state since 2009 when a home-grown, nonperforming loans crisis and the global recession threatened the stability of the entire banking system,” they wrote.

Prices of the stocks may rise by an average of 34 per cent by the end of the year and 65 per cent for lenders rated “outperform,” according to the analysts.

The CBN provided N620 billion ($4 billion) to eight of the nation’s 24 lenders after loans to equity speculators contributed to N700 billion of non-performing debt, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi fired the chief executives of the distressed lenders and set up Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), to buy bad debts from the banks to help recapitalise them.

Zenith Bank Plc Nigeria’s largest lender by market value, is FBN Capital’s preferred pick out of the investment bank’s “neutral”-rated banks that also include Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc. Fidelity Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, was rated “underperform.” None of the lenders FBN Capital covers were rescued by the CBN. COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$114.2/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.82 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES

Inflation -12.4% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -8% Foreign Reserve -$31.6bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 218 £ 242.5 $ 150.9 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 241.5 RIYAL 39.3

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• From left:Creative Director, Farafina Trust, Chimamanda Adichie; Managing Director, Nigeria Breweries (NB) Plc, Mr Nicolaas Vervelde and Prof. Njabulo Ndebele, during the Farafina Trust literary evening to mark the end of creative writing workshop, organised by Chimamanda Adichie and supported by Nigerian Breweries, at Ball Room, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos... at the weekend.

Board, oil marketers clash over N1.5b debt I NABILITY to pay about N1.5 billion bridging cost to transporters of petroleum products is brewing a misunderstanding between the major marketers and the Petroleum Equalisation Fund Management Board (PEFMB).

The Nation gathered that if the issue is not urgently resolved, it may lead to another round of fuel scarcity as the transporters have threatened to stop lifting and bridging products in Lagos to other parts of the country.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the PEFMB has not paid the marketers their bridging costs since February and owes each of the major marketers a minimum of arrears of N250 million in petroleum products bridged between February and June - totaling about N1.5 billion.

The major oil marketers include, Mobil, Total, MRS, Conoil, African Petroleum and Oando. Some of the marketers who spoke to The Nation in con-

I

• Transporters threaten to down tools From Emeka Ugwuanyi Asst. Editor

fidence said the N250 million bridging debt mentioned, was to be on the modest side because some of the major oil marketing companies are owed up to N300 million or more.

Efforts to reach the Executive Secretary of PEFMB, Mrs. Adefunke Sharon Kasali on phone for comments on the issue were futile as she didn’t pick her calls. But the Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr Obafemi Olawore, who spoke with our correspondent on phone, confirmed the development. He said the two organisations have re-

solved their differences.

His words: “Yes, there was a misunderstanding between the marketers and PEFMB. You know the two organisations work together to make petroleum products flow unhindered. I can assure you we have resolved our differences.”

However, Olawore didn’t confirm if the PEFMB has agreed to pay the debt and when.

Petroleum Equalisation Fund Management Board, PEF(M)B is a parastatal of the Federal Government established by law to equalise the cost of transporting petroleum products from products’ depots to filling stations. This is to ensure that petroleum

products are made available at uniform prices throughout Nigeria, but the board has been running into and out of huge debts since inception.

Mrs. Kasali has been trying to stop the development since she came on board.

Early last year, she secured approval from the government for the payment of N17.4 billion, following an entreaty she made to the Federal Executive Council, when she assumed office.

The money was used to settle backlogs of bridging costs from 2004 to the first quarter of last year.

In view of the huge amount of money incurred as bridging debts within the period, which Kasali said was inflated by frauds through fake claims for bridged products, she said the agency embarked on reforms and overhaul of its processes, a move which resulted in making all of its transactions to be conducted electronically.

Banks to operate ATMs outside their premises, says CBN

N a bid to ensure the suc cess of the planned cash withdrawal limits, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reversed its decision for banks to withdraw their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) from locations other than their premises.

Addressing journalists on the activities of his directorate, CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr Tunde Lemo, said the apex bank was compelled to bend the rules “because the banks with their very robust balance sheets have the financial fire power to do a much more aggressive roll out than we had earlier envisaged.”

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

Responding to questions on the ambitious plan of the CBN to limit cash withdrawals to N150,000 a day, Lemo said the last Bankers’ Committee meeting agreed that banks will be involved in the roll out of ATMs outside of their premises to fast-track the proposed cashless economy.

The PoS roll out, he said, will also affect the ATMs as the CBN plans to roll out ATMs with an initial 10,000 units in the next one year.

To prevent crimes when the programme takes off, the CBN deputy governor said the apex bank has issued a circular on fraud reduction, stressing that banks have also been directed to put other measures in place such as installation of camera at ATM locations.

Following the migration to the use of chip and pin ATM, Lemo noted: “Fraud incidences reduced by 96 per cent and of 327 complaints received between June last year and May this year, only four per cent of fraud oc-

curred post-implementation of chip and pin, which means we have been able to nip that in the bud.”

Commenting on UBA’s announcement of a minimum balance of N25,000 in customers’ accounts, Lemo said it was not CBN’s policy as the apex bank does not prescribe how banks conduct their businesses.

He explained that the CBN does not micro-manage banks and will not be happy to see the banking system conducting their banking business to the exclusion of very small savers. The CBN, he said, would examine the issue.

FRICAN Develop ment Bank Group (AfDB) through its private sector window has approved an equity investment of about $10.4 million in Africa Re through the acquisition of newly issued shares via a right issue.

This increased capital is needed to strengthen the company’s capital base and underwriting capacity required to support increasing demand for insurance products across the continent.

As the preeminent African reinsurer, Africa Re works to foster the development of the insurance and reinsurance industry, promote the growth of African underwriting capacity, support African economic development and reduce the outflow of foreign exchange from the continent through premium payments.

While the bank’s previous investments in Africa Re have been a success, as confirmed by the strong business growth of Africa Re, the continental apex bank noted that the insurance and reinsurance sector remains underdeveloped and in need of significant amounts of capital to support reinsurance companies attract business and reduce the outflow of foreign exchange to international reinsurers.

IMF lists service terms for MD

By Collins Nweze

T

HE International Mon etary Fund (IMF) has released terms of service for its newly appointed Managing Director, Christine Lagarde.

The terms, which she has accepted includes $467,940 per annum earnings, as explained in Section 14(b) of the IMF By-Laws. She will, additionally, receive an allowance in the aggregate amount of $83,760 per annum.

The new IMF boss will also be reimbursed for reasonable expenses actually incurred for entertainment directly related to the business of the Fund. The Fund will reimburse her per diem at the rate applicable to Executive Directors plus reasonable vouchered expenses not covered by the per diem, including all hotel expenses, incurred by her for travel in the interest of the Fund.

Both her salary and representation allowance will be adjusted on July 1 of each year beginning in 2012 by the percentage increase in the Washington metropolitan-area Consumer Price Index1 for the 12 months ending the preceding May. She will participate in the Staff Retirement Plan on the same basis as staff members, with effect from the date of her appointment.

12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

2.

3.

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8.

LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

1.

2.

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

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4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

pension accounts-savings or current, overdraft and facility-linked current accounts, loan accounts, savings and current accounts linked to deposits and investments. Also included are paramilitary, military and ex-servicemen.

But they all can also make use of the phone banking initiative.

With the introduction of a minimum account balance of N25, 000, UBA has given customers whose accounts balances are below the minimum threshold and are not able to upgrade between July 1, 2011 and September 1, 2011 the option of migrating to self-service channels provided by the bank.

U-Mo, an instant account on mobile phone, allows customers to do banking transactions and pay their bills with their phones any time of

any day.

Onejeme said the migration of customers to U-Mo has started through the various business offices of UBA where the respective accounts are domiciled.

He noted that with some seven million customers and some 700 branches, UBA is committed to exploring opportunities to ensure that all customers have satisfying banking experience while simultaneously adding value to shareholders.

He added that with U-Mo, all UBA customers would be able to access cash and conduct transactions without necessarily visiting a banking hall.

Onejeme explained that with UMo, a customer can save money, transfer money to another phone, pay bills as well as withdraw and deposit money at any UBA branch and agent.

12.15 12.45

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 14.00 Arik Arik 16.30

1. IRS 2. Arik

Taofik Salako

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

1.

2.

3.

4.

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1. Dana

U

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has explained that the mi gration of customers with less than N25, 000 balance in their accounts is to provide them with convenience of instant online mobile banking while creating higher values for them.

The bank also said its new mobile banking initiative, U-Mo Mobile Money Account, would serve as a convenient and quality alternative channel for retail customers while improving the overall quality of the bank’s service.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Lagos, executive director, Corporate and International Banking, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr Ifeatu Onejeme, said the bank has exempted certain catergory of account holders from the new minimum balance requirement. They include all salary and

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

How customers will benefit from Minimum Account Balance, by UBA

08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

• From right: Corporate Services Executive, Mr Akinwale Goodluck; Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, Mr Babatunde Osho; General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mrs Funmi Omogbenigun; General Manager, Customer Relations, Mr Andrew Esemezie and General Manager, Mr Kola Oyeyemi, at the unveiling of the 10 th anniversary Logo of MTN Nigeria in Lagos.

‘Nigeria may nationalise banks’

N

IGERIA may national ise banks that do not meet a September 30 deadline to increase their equity, rather than forcing them to liquidate, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu has said.

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), created by the apex bank to buy the bad debts of lenders, may become a majority shareholder in rescued banks by plugging their equity shortfalls, Moghalu said in an interview with Bloomberg in South

Africa.

The banking watchdog bailed out eight of the country’s 24 lenders in 2009, pumping N620 billion ($4.1 billion) into the industry to prevent its collapse. The rescued banks have until the end of September 2011 to recapitalise or merge with new investors to avoid liquidation.

Finbank Plc, Intercontinental Bank Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc are the only lenders to agree on transactions so far.

SpringBank in a statement yesterday said it has had fruitful discussions with its prospective investors,

which include Origins Capital, Cloudleap Partners LCC, CARAM Capital and Gem Capital. Oceanic Bank and BankPHB also said they are talking to some partners.

Afribank and Equitorial Trust Bank are yet to name merging partners.

“The deadline is a very serious one,” Moghalu said. “We have the responsibility as a systemic financial regulator to make sure the banking system is normalised by the end of the year.”

While nationalisation is not the “favoured option,” it is preferable to liquidation, Moghalu said.

SpringBank shortlists local, foreign investors

S

PRINGBANK has concluded its plan on its recapitalisation.

It has shortlisted four local and foreign investors.

The prospective investors, according to a statement from the bank, include Origins Capital, Cloudleap Partners LCC, CARAM Capital and Gem Capital.

The bank said it is poised to meet the September 2011 recapitalisation deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for rescued banks to recapitalise or be liquidated.

The bank’s management said it is expecting bids from the prospective investors and expressed satisfaction with the meetings that ended last weekend. “We are confident that the exercise will lead to the next round of choosing the preferred and reserved bidder for the acquisition of SpringBank Plc, which became fully turned around and repositioned on

• Set to meet Sept deadline

By Collins Nweze

the path of profitability.

“The discussions have seen the bank and its financial advisers working assiduously to ensure a smooth and successful transaction that will produce a preferred partner acceptable to all stakeholders of the bank,” the statement said.

For the first time in its six-year history, SpringBank had posted a profit in its 2010 operations for the year ended December 31, 2010. Profit-before-tax for the period stood at N6.2billion compared to the losses of the previous years and the loss position of N28.7billion for the period ended December 31, 2009.

Profit-after-tax was N6.1billion, deposits grew from N142.7billion in December 2009 to 198.6 billion in

December 2010, an increase of 38 per cent while the balance sheet size rose from N146.3 billion to N197.1billion, an increase of 34 per cent.

The feat, which indicates a fully turned-around bank, under the management of the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), Mrs. Sola Ayodele, began with the 2010 first quarter unaudited results in which the bank recorded a profit-before-tax of N636.0 million.

The trend, which has since been sustained and climaxed to the stellar performance recorded as at December 31, 2010 had also received tremendous commendation from industry watchers and attracted keen interest of equity investors and other stakeholders of the bank.

‘10% of oil equipment for local manufacturers’ From Emeka Ugwuanyi Asst. Editor

T

HE Nigerian Content Devel opment and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has directed that at least 10 per cent of all heavy equipment for use in the Nigerian oil and gas industry must henceforth be manufactured locally.

The directive, according to the board, is in compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, which promotes industrialisation, job creation and increased retention of industry spend in the country.

Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Ernest Nwapa, disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the Nigerian Gas Association’s Learning Solutions event in Lagos.

He explained that the board is determined to get original equipment manufacturers of machinery, parts, components and accessories set up in Nigeria, although they would be free to decide, which components of their ware to produce in the country.

The board, he further, will enforce this requirement strictly because the manufacture and supply chain of industry ware have the greatest potential for job creation in the sector.

According to him, the emphasis of the Federal Government on the implementation of the Act is not just geared towards halting capital flight, but primarily to create employment for millions of Nigerians on the back of oil and gas industry operations.

He said the Board was working in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s mission of creating millions of jobs for Nigerians, assuring that the Nigerian Content activities have already generated over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs and with the growth trend, surpass 300,000 within the next four years.

NESG, UNGC to fight corruption

T

HE Nigerian Economic Sum mit Group (NESG) has signed a multi-year project partner agreement with the Foundation for the Global Compact (FGC) and the United Nations Global Compact Office (UNGCO) to implement an anti-corruption project.

The pact aims to create fair market conditions and fight corruption and fraud through education, training and collective action.

Supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative, the partnership, according to a statement from NESG, is part of the UNGC’s four-year (2011-2014) anti-corruption collective action project in five emerging markets including Brazil, India, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa.

According to the agreement, NESG will represent the UNGCO in Nigeria as a project partner.

The agreement, which will also promote efforts of both organisations in education and training, is expected to be driven through strategic policy initiatives aimed at integrating universally accepted values and norms of good corporate behaviour.

The agreement was achieved in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed recently between both organisations.

According to Director-General of the NESG, Mr Frank Nweke, the achievement represents another milestone in the effort of the NESG to drive policy changes and collaborations that would help achieve positive results in the ongoing war against corruption in Nigeria.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

13

ISSUES

• Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri

Despite the unviability of many airports, many states are bent on building their own, provoking the question: what is the essence of having an airport? Is it to show how rich a state is or to drive development? KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR attempts to answer these questions.

Does Nigeria need more airports?

A

IRPORTS are globally considered as economic drivers and necessary catalysts to fast track socio-economic development where they are sited.

This belief informs the agitation of many communities and interest groups to have airports sited in their localities.

But, airports, according to aviation experts, can only fulfil such mandate, if they are able to attract the needed passenger and cargo traffic.

Seamless movement of passengers and cargoes is the edge aviation has over other means of transportation. This is in addition to its other attributes, such as speed and safety.

In Nigeria, there is a growing concern over the proliferation of airports, especially with the proposals by some state governments to build their own airports.

There are about 22 airports in Nigeria, with the international gateways located in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano; the others are for domestic operations.

The airports are managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria

(FAAN).

However, available statistics indicate that most of the airports are unviable, because they do not attract sufficient passenger and cargo traffic to justify the massive costs involved in their construction and maintenance.

Last week, the Delta State Government through a delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama, visited the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to intimate the regulator of its plans to begin daylight operations at the Asaba International Airport.

Delta State is not alone. Other states are determined to have airports in their capitals. They are toeing the line of Katsina, Gombe, Bauchi and Akwa Ibom states, which have constructed and are managing their own airports.

Of the existing airports, only the Akwa Ibom International Airport, could safely be described as functional, viable and attractive to airlines. This is because of the massive investment in infrastructure, which include the runway, state-of-the-art terminal

and other operational facilities.

The airports in Katsina, Bauchi and Gombe could be described as unattractive and unviable, as the scale of operations, is nothing compared to the huge investment in their construction and running expenses.

Aviation experts argue that there is more to the problems of the aviation sector than building more airports, as none of the 22 airports is certified by NCAA. The certification is a prerequisite by the global aviation regulator, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for airports to be commissioned for service.

The Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, said the state has concluded plans to deliver a modern airport in Jalingo. This was quickly followed by the Zamfara State government which is also planning its own airport in the state capital, Gusau.

Also last year, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, also tinkered with the idea of constructing an airport. In Ogun State, there are more questions and answers on the vexed issue of the proposed cargo and agro airport proposed for Sagamu,

by the immediate past administration led

by Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Earlier in the year, President Goodluck Jonathan gave approval for an airport in Bayelsa State. He also spoke of plans to assist Jigawa State with its own airport .

The list goes on. There is the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, built through communal effort in the 80s by the old Imo State, before it was handed over to FAAN to manage. Many of these are clear examples of airports built, or being proposed for political reasons, because they are largely devoid of the trappings of the requisite facilities to fast track socio- economic developments.

Proposing ways on how new airports could be more useful economically, the Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, said: “One of the things that we are doing right now is to look at the airlines and their routes structure. There are certain routes that are very good.

Flight out of Lagos to Asaba, Asaba to • Continued on page 14

14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

ISSUES

Does Nigeria need more airports?

• Continued from page 13

Abuja, that axis will be something else. For the first time, we will be competing with the road. All our businessmen in Onitsha carrying big cash, they won’t go by road, they will come with us by air, once they land in Asaba, 10 minutes they are in their homes.

“Why should they risk their lives at night through all night bus with the attendant risk of armed robbery? So, we can start competing and that is why we can now fill up the aircraft. We will improve on that route. You know it is a state’s airport. There are a lot of Deltans that will travel and go and do business.

“But the people that will enjoy most are those in Onitsha, the commercial centre of Nigeria and it is an axis between Lagos and the east. These are the things we are trying to do. We create opportunities and good areas where people can run good businesses,” Demuren, stated.

The NCAA helmsman said Lagos-AbujaPort Harcourt, remain the toast of most airlines, adding, “that is where the passengers are.”

On the airport’s viability Demuren said, the airport will be viable given that the businessmen in Onitsha want their goods at their destinations on time. He said with all they go through on the roads, “with armed robbers and damaged goods, this is an opportunity to get their goods where they want it on time and safely. So, it will be a very viable airport despite other odds.”

The Delta State Deputy Governor, Utuama, said he was meeting with the Director-General and his team to fast track the certification process as the airport has already closed some of the open items identified by the NCAA, adding that the airport’s viability is not in doubt, as it is strategically located and everything is being done to ensure that it becomes one of the best in the country and in the sub-region, in terms of service and operations.

But the NCAA insisted that it would not certify the Asaba Airport despite its stateof-the-art terminal building and facilities, if they do not meet the safety requirements the regulators have identified. Demuren, extolled the airport, stating that it could land a 747 aircraft and its runway met international standard.

He also said the airport’s control tower and terminal could be compared to any tower in the world. He insisted, however, that for the airport to commence commercial operations, it must be certified in line with ICAO requirements.

Also examining how state governments could assist in the development of airports, an aviation expert, Eke Ambrose, called on the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to consider equity participation in the development of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport. He said the completion of the upgrade of facilities at the airport will reposition it as the preferred destination for aircraft carrying cargo into the South Eastern region.

Ambrose who is the Managing Director of Ambed Aviation International Airlines, explained that Okorocha could not afford to contribute less to the development of the airport, given his vast experience and investment in the aviation sector.

Ambrose, urged Okorocha to consider public and private sector participation for the development of the cargo airport, under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis in infrastructural development.

He explained that the governor could create an enabling environment for the development of the Imo Airport, through favourable policies that will attract private sector players in investment in infrastructure including a befitting terminal complex, Customs bonded warehouse, cargo bay fuel tank, farm or depot and other ancillary facilities that will boost commercial activities at the airport.

He said if the requisite facilities are put in place, the Imo State government could partner with FAAN on how to review the feasibility of the airport to attract foreign airlines to schedule cargo flights into the airport, affirming that there is ample evidence that some state governments have run air-

ports very well as a catalyst for economic development.

The cargo expert said: “I do not think operations into Owerri Airport is unprofitable, it all depends on how the airlines carry out their operations and the model they are using. If any investor should consider building a fuel dump in Owerri, it will attract aircraft traffic into the airport to make it more viable. Another further step is to carry out appropriate feasibility and lobby at the ministerial level to ensure that the Imo Airport is duly designated for international cargo operations through reduction of aircraft handling and landing charges. Why can’t African Petroleum and Con Oil consider setting up a fuel tank farm in Owerri.”

He spoke just as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it has attained 80 per cent completion of the perimeter fencing of the Owerri Airport, in addition to fast tracking of the renovation and rehabilitation of the terminal building. Also, the contractor mandated to build a fuel depot at the airport has moved to site.

Speaking on efforts by FAAN to reposition the airport, spokeman of the authority, Akin Olukunle, explained that the construction of the airport perimeter fencing has attained 80 per cent completion, adding that two fire vehicles have been received, while the air field lighting is progressing.

Olukunle said about the state of the Owerri Airport: “FAAN has tried to enhance the status of the airport, thus far, we have carried out 80 per cent completion of the airport perimeter fencing, which is on going. As we speak the terminal building renovation is on going, and it has reached 40 per cent completion. Power improvement at the airport and air field lighting is yet to improve, but the aviation fuel depot project is on going, even the contractor just reported to site.

The airport has received two new fire vehicles, and the cargo bonded ware house is yet to take off, as no contractor has been approved yet.”

In spite of the fact that about 18 of the airports are unviable and their maintenance are a burden to the cash crunched Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), various state governments are still bent on constructing airports at their domains. At present, at least eight of such airports are in the pipeline and aviation analysts are divided on the continuous development of airports in most states of the federation. While a section of aviation professionals criticised the development and said the rush for airport constructions by the governments has political undertone, others claimed the idea of having airports either viable or not is good for the general developments of the concerned states.

Airports in the pipeline are Osogbo International airport, Osun State, Agro Cargo Airport, Sagamu, Ogun State, Bayelsa, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Niger and Zamfara airports.

The active airports are Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos; the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja; Port Harcourt Airport, Port Harcourt and Aminu Kano Airport, Kano.

Investigations reveal that FAAN generates an average of N40 billion as annual revenue, which is principally generated by the Lagos airport and the three other viable airports in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. The sums are being used to service other 18 airports.

FAAN records indicated that while the authority made about N1 million revenue from

• Demuren

• Uduaghan

the Makurdi Airport in 2004, it spent over N70 million on the development of the airport same year. It also in 2004 spent N90million on the development of the Kaduna airport, which according to FAAN records contributed less than N10million to the coffers of the agency the same year.

At the MMA, between 1993 to 2009, about 53,869,876 passengers pass through it, Abuja (23,520,70), Port Harcourt (9,443,069) and Kano had 5,629,096 in the same period. Airports like Katsina had 65,524, Akure (30,689), Minna (64,924), Ibadan (75,038), Ilorin (145,371), Sokoto (675,807), Yola (834,668), Maiduguri (1,320,149), Benin (1,154265), Calabar (2,244,205), Enugu (2,840360), Jos (1,100,679), passengers in 17 years while Owerri had 1,816,904 passengers in 16 years having begun operations in 1994. Also, data revealed that in 2001, neither cargo nor mail was moved through the 16 of the airports in Nigeria.

In that same year, only 325 passengers were flown through the Akure airport, 956 through Katsina airport, 573 by Minna, 866 through Markurdi and 4763 via Ibadan. The data, further disclosed that throughout 2002, only 466 passengers used the Makurdi airport, 1,283 through Akure, 914 via Katsina and 1,073 passengers through Minna. These statistics confirm the un-viability of these airports. Besides, even with the viability of the four airports in Nigeria, their growths can not be compared to that of Dubai Airport, which passengers’ volume increased by 15 per cent in 2004.Statistics obtained indicated that cargo traffic rose 17.7 per cent to 2.3 million tonnes in 2010 following a surge in air freight volumes during the first three quarters and passenger numbers totalling 47.2 million in 2010 beat the airport’s initial projection of 46.1 million and growth accelerated from a 9.2 per cent increase in 2009.

The Secretary-General of Aviation Round Table (ART), Mr. Sam Akerele decried a situation whereby a state government spends about N20 billion on the construction of an airport only for the government to generate less than about N1 billion from the airport in a year and warned that most of the airports might be diverted for other purposes in the future.

He said: “Whether we like it or not, only one airport is viable in this country and that is the Lagos airport. For instance, a state government will construct an airport with about N20 billion and make less than N1 billion

from that airport in a year. Are we moving forward or backward? “If care is not taken, the airports will turn to football pitches in the future because the government might find it difficult to continue to maintain unviable airports when the viable ones are still being consistently maintained and upgraded by the government. Most of these airports are unnecessary and have political undertone.”

Also, an aviation consultant, Lafeef Ejioye decried the construction of airports by state governments, stating that of all the airports in the country, only Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports are viable. Ejioye said rather than construct airports for economic reasons, state governments consider political purposes, adding that most of the state governments only waste tax payers’ money by constructing airports in their states. For instance, he criticised the planned construction of Osogbo airport by the Osun State government when Ibadan, Akure and Ilorin airports that are close by are still unattractive to air passengers.

He emphasised further that these underutilised airports have full complements of staff while the usual government activities of contract awards and payments for services are still on going in such airports. He queried the numbers of airlines and passengers that are flying into Akure, Benin, Ilorin, Bauchi and other underutilised airports. He challenged the government to divert the scarce resources in the country to other sectors that are crying for attention.

He said: “To me, it will end up being a white elephant project. There are other pressing issues in Osun State than for the government of the past government in the state, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola to commit huge sums of money to building an airport passenger patronage. There is no point building an airport in a state where many public facilities such as schools, water, agricultural produces, Medicare and others are crying for attention. The issue of airport is a misplaced priority in the state.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of ART, Capt.

Dele Ore believes opening of airports in some states would open them up to investors. According to him, every airport could be viable inasmuch as it is handled by private companies and government provided enabling environment for such company to succeed. Ore said provision of airport in the states would create jobs for the locals and open up such state for investors. He maintained that airports worldwide are handled by private companies, wondering why it is not so in Nigeria.

“It may not be economically viable but yet politically expedient and very viable for that reason. We have 36 states and the Federal Capital. You can see that agitation would be for at least 36 airports in this country. You must be aware that there was Ido-Osun airstrip that has been there as early as early 1925 and I remember in the 60s, I landed into that airstrip. “That is a potential site for an airport already, in which case you are not going to start acquiring lands, evacuating and paying compensation. The government should not have anything to do with managing an airport. Airports are not efficient because they are being managed by the government,” he said.

‘Whether we like it or not, only one airport is viable in this country and that is the Lagos airport. For instance, a state government will construct an airport with about N20 billion and make less than N1 billion from that airport in a year. Are we moving forward or backward? If care is not taken, the airports will turn to football pitches in the future because the government might find it difficult to continue to maintain unviable airports when the viable ones are still being consistently maintained and upgraded by the government. Most of these airports are unnecessary and have political undertone’

15

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

FROM THE TRIBUNALS

Election tribunals ... struggling against deadline

T

O most Nigerians, the 2011 general Elections are over. Winners have been sworn into office. Losers are believed to be bracing up for 2015. However, the initiated know elections in Nigeria are in three phases. The pre-election period covers the nomination, involving the political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The second phase covers the whole gamut of the elections. At the federal, state and constituencies’ levels, electioneering and polling were conducted. The lot for naming winners falls on INEC and thereafter, governments and legislatures are inaugurated.

There is a third phase. Many politicians have learnt that “it is not over until it is over”. The tribunals are now at work, examining the performance of all institutions and stakeholders involved in the elections. Did they substantially comply with relevant laws? These concerns will engage the judges selected to handle the legal tussles.

The Election Tribunals are established pursuant to Section 285 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

As of now, some candidates who lost in the elections are before tribunals, arguing their cases.

Judgments have been delivered in a few cases; some are at various stages at the tribunals.

The major challenge facing the tribunals is timing. According to a maxim, “Justice delayed is Justice denied”. This explains why many petitioners may not be able to make up for the time lost while their adversaries are occupying the offices illegally.

Delay is the name of the game. Having seen the development from his position at the head of the judiciary, when Justice Muhammad Uwais was given the special task of leading eminent Nigerians to recommend electoral reforms, he strongly canvassed that all electoral disputes be settled before those announced winners at the polls are sworn in.

The panel observed that all those sworn in must have legitimate mandates. Disputes following the 2007 elections were still before the tribunals three years after some governors and legislators had been in the saddle. The trend appears to have started again. There is the im-

‘Some candidates who lost in the elections are before tribunals, arguing their cases. Judgments have been delivered in a few cases; some are at various stages at the tribunals.

The major challenge facing the tribunals is timing. According to a maxim, ‘Justice delayed is Justice denied.’ This explains why many petitioners may not be able to make up for the time lost while their adversaries are occupying the offices illegally’

By Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo and Correspondent Kamarudeen Ogundele

pression that petition cases are inordinately delayed by lawyers and judges to confer advantage on a particular party and foist a fait accompli on the other, albeit not without events and circumstances extraneous to the stream of justice sanctity of court.

Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) aptly described the situation, in a paper entitled, ‘Courts and management of election petitions: Challenges, prospects and solutions,’ which he presented at a one-day symposium organised by the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation in July 2010.

He said: “Time remains a recurring decimal in the determination of petitions. The electorate timeously want to know which candidate has the favour of the majority of their lawful votes; the victor would wish to know where he stands and have his mind at rest as to his true position and, probably settle down for official duties.

The vanquished, with his unsatisfactory defeat, will also be running against time for the confirmation of his doubt as to his loss or defeat, and, in the meantime, raise hope that the Tribunal would right the wrongs or correct the errors that gave victory to his adversary.”

“In this permutation and hope-provoking situ-

ation, the Tribunal has enormous responsibility of balancing the ‘time’ which has suddenly become a bride for all the stakeholders and this within the purview of the enabling law though not totally immune from events extraneous to law. While the proceedings last, the Tribunal assumes the position of illusory concept of equality that keeps the pauper in the state of pauperism and the rich in the position in which he has usurped. The pauper in this sense is the loser whilst the rich is the winner.”

Although the Electoral Act 2010 seek to address this challenge by prescribing 180 days for the hearing and determination of petitions, it remains to be seen if this could make any meaningful impact and if lawyers will assist the Tribunal by avoiding frivolous applications and tactical delay.

Ten weeks after the presidential poll, was concluded and President Goodluck Jonathan declared winner, hearing of the main petition filed by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is yet to begin.

Only on June 26, the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed an application by Hope Democratic Party (HDP), seeking to relist its petition earlier struck out on May 27.

It, however, adjourned till July 6, hearing in two applications filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Goodluck Jonathan against the petition of the CPC. The applicants are challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the CPC’s petition, which is seeking to invalidate Jonathan’s victory at the April 16 presidential poll.

The CPC is asking the Tribunal to nullify elections in 20 states.

The brickbats continue. Lawyers are at their best, arguing briefs from their clients and seeking to take the maximum advantage from political cases. But the overriding question remains: What can be done to ensure that administrations inaugurated enjoy full legitimacy?

This is a survey of developments in the tribunals from affected states. The correspondents from Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, Benue, Yobe, Enugu, Anambra, Abia and Delta states bring out the state of things at the tribunals.

CPC, ANPP tackle Yakowa in Kaduna

T

HE Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa adminis tration may have been inaugurated in Kaduna State on May 29, after he was declared duly elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the last governorship election. But, it is not yet uhuru for him as his victory is being challenged at the election tribunal by two of those he defeated. Those challenging his victory are the candidates of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Alhaji Haruna Saeed who was second at the poll and that of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator Mohammed Mukhtar Aruwa who placed fourth. While the CPC is alleging massive rigging, especially in the Southern Kaduna area where he failed to poll even 25 percent of the total votes cast, it was not clear as the time of this report, on what ground the ANPP candidate is challenging the election of Yakowa. The secretariat of the tribunal in Kaduna was a beehive of activities when The Nation visited the place as the various parties were busy trying to beat the deadline for filing their responses. A secretariat staff

From Tony Akowe

of the tribunal was overheard complaining that “it is now that they are rushing to file their brief when it is almost too late. This is something they should have done since”.

Investigations also revealed that there are only two petitions challenging the Senatorial elections in the state. Incidentally, the two petitions were filed in respect of the election for Kaduna North and Kaduna South senatorial district respectively. In Kaduna North where former Governor Ahmed Makarfi lost out to the CPC candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Makarfi is challenging the return of Baba-Ahmed as the winner of the election and is said to have lined up about 700 witnesses.

A twist was introduced to the process when the tribunal had to order substituted service of the petition on Baba-Ahmed when Makarfi’s lawyers complained that they were unable to serve him personally.

The second petitioner, Abdullahi Bamali

who contested the senatorial seat on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC) is also challenging the election of Senator Nenadi Usman in the Southern Kaduna senatorial election alleging massive rigging and.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) did not file any petition either in the governorship or Senatorial election despite placing third in all elections in the various constituencies in the state.

For the House of Representatives, The Nation gathered that there are five petitions, one of which is a motion to determine whether or not to grant the applicant leave to file a proper petition, while there are 19 petitions challenging the conduct of the State Assembly elections across the 23 local government councils in the state.

While the elected officials in the executive and legislative arms of government are busy trying to put machinery of governance in place, the litigation may yet prove some distraction until all the issues are resolved and legitimacy handed the true winners.

• Yakowa

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

16

POLITICS FROM THE TRIBUNALS

It’s Suswam vs Ugba in Benue

What is happening in Yobe?

T

HE Election Petitions Tri bunal sitting in Yobe State has only received two peti-

I

N Benue State, the battle is between Governor Gabriel Suswam who flew the governorship flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Professor Steven Ugba, governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who is challenging the governor’s election on five grounds.

The Professor joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Police and West African Examination Council (WAEC) in the petition. He challenged the results from 15 local government areas out of the 23 in the state and intends to bring a forensic expert to prove allegations of rigging and massive thum-printing, among others.

He wants the tribunal, headed

by Justice Murmmir Ladan, to ensure that allegedly fake votes are separated from the real and counted. He also wants a declaration that Suswam is not qualified to contest the election having allegedly presented a forged WAEC certificate to INEC. Professor Ugba has so far got an order of the tribunal to inspect materials used by INEC in the governorship election. Handling his legal fireworks are Femi Falana, Jeo Abaagu and other lawyers.

Suswam, through his counsel Damian Dodo (SAN), has however filed his defence and raised a preliminary objection to Prof. Ugba’s petition. Suswam and PDP who are respondents/defendants also pleaded before the tribunal to call in 700 witnesses with a 2,162-page reply. Ugba has also replied Suswam and both parties are now waiting for dates to mention and

• Suswan From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi and Isa Idris

pre-hear the case.

Also, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate for the April polls, Professor Daniel Saror, who came a distant third, has gone to the tribunal to challenge the result of the election.

Prof. Saror’s petition took many by surprise because he is known to be an uncle of the governor. The former vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria contested the governorship election in 2007 against Suswam but was defeated. He went to the tribunal but his later withdrew the case from the tribunal.

Saror, also former Senate Minority Leader, is challenging the poll on only one ground: that Suswam

‘The tribunal sitting in Makurdi, Benue state capital, has an application brought by Akaagerger to inspect materials for the election. Gemade on his part has filed his reply and raised an objection to the petition. Hearing has not commenced, but the process of service is almost concluded and any moment from now, the tribunal would fix date for hearing of the petition’

• Ugba

presented a forged WAEC certificate, Saror got less that 10,000 votes. The case generating ripples in the state is the challenge from the CAN and its candidate. The CAN performance at the polls took many by surprise. Now, it has the onerous task of proving that it was the preferred party by the people of Benue State.

The question being asked in the state is whether the tribunal can do justice within six months given to the time spend already and the long list of witnesses.

Senator Joseph Akaagerger contested for the senatorial seat on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (A C N). Chief Barnabas Gemade was candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The battleground was the Benue Northeast Senatorial District.

Gemade, former PDP National Chairman was declared winner.

The retired General went to the tribunal to challenge his victory, claiming that the poll was rigged.

The tribunal sitting in Makurdi, Benue state capital, has an application brought by Akaagerger to inspect materials for the election.

Gemade on his part has filed his reply and raised an objection to the petition.

Hearing has not commenced, but the process of service is almost concluded and any moment from now, the tribunal would fix date for hearing of the petition.

Orji faces allied forces in Abia

I

N Abia State, there were five petitions against the election of the Governor Theodore Orji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His opponents at the tribunal includes the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), its candidate; PPA, Labour Party and DFPF. The APGA has withdrawn its petition to avoid duplicating matters, thus reducing the petitions to four.

At its inaugural sitting, the tribunal granted some motions from two gubernatorial candidates - Chris Akomas of PPA and Emenike Owanta of DFPF - to serve the governor by any means possible, and report back to the tribunal.

The chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Mobolaji Ojo, had said that the tribunal has 180 days from the date of filling the petition, to deliver judgment, adding that they can never extend it.

All the petitioners are asking the tribunal to declare them winners, while the defence counsel for the governor, led by the former Attorney General, Umeh Kalu, is asking the tribunal to throw

From Ugochukwu Eke, Um uahia

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

arguing that the document was not from INEC. In her ruling, Justice OnajiteKujubola ordered that the document be admitted, adding that the submission of the respondent counsel could not be relied upon. She noted that the document was admitted on the basis of relevance. She also disagreed with the third respondent that the document was at variance with the original in the tribunal’s custody.

The task before the tribunal at the time of filing this report was to close the petitioner’s case and open respondent’s case.

• Lawan

Tribunals on leave in Sokoto

away the petitions..

Assemblies’ election petitions Abia State’s three-man panel for the National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal is headed by Justice Abiodun Adebara. Other members of the panel are Justice Joe Acha and Justice Mahmud Lawal.

Adebara who spoke in Umuahia during the inaugural sitting of the panel, had warned both the litigants and the defence counsel against wasting time.

He hinted that Section 285(6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that the judgment be delivered in writing within 180 days from the day of filing the petition. He disclosed that the tribunal had “received a total of 13 petitions, five of which were filed in respect of election to the senate, while the remaining eight were in respect of House of Representatives.”

The petitioners in the national assembly cases are asking the tri-

tions.

Both were filed by the PDP, challenging the election of Senator Ibrahim Lawan and Hassan Elbadawi, both of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

The panel comprises three justices with Hon. Justice Pat Onajite-Kuejubola as chairman.

Others include Hon. Justices Udu Eze and Mukhtar Yashu’a.

The tribunal started sitting on the June 3, 2011.

Alhaji Hassan Kafayos, in petition No EPT/YB/NASS/SEN/ 002/11, is contesting the election of Lawan as Senator representing Yobe North senatorial district on the ground that the said election was fraught with corrupt practices.

In his petition, Zakariya Yau Galadima alleged wrong entry of figures at some polling units and mass thumb-printing by ANPP agents, leading to the “wrongful election of El-badawi of the ANPP for the Bade/Jakusko Federal constituency.’ Both are praying for the tribunal to nullify the elections and declare them winners respectively.”

None of the cases before the state election tribunal has been decided, but there are pockets of rulings at the few sittings so far held by the tribunal. The first was on an application sought by the ANPP to strike out the petition for lack of merit.

Chief Titus Ashaolu (SAN) counsel to ANPP and El-Badawi argued that the petition of Galadima did not met the requirement of the Electoral Act 2010. But counsel to Galadima, R. O Yusuf urged the tribunal to disregard the respondents’ request.

Justice Kuejubola dismissed the application of the respondent, saying: “The hey-days of technicalities are over.” The chairman also rejected plea by the 1st and 2nd (ANPP & INEC) respondents to reject evidence brought by the petitioner.

Lead counsel to Alhaji Hassan El-badawi and ANPP, K. K. Eleja, also raised objection at the hearing over the presentation of Form EC8A from Azbak Ward,

‘None of the cases before the state election tribunal has been decided, but there are pockets of rulings at the few sittings so far held by the tribunal.

The first was on an application sought by the ANPP to strike out the petition for lack of merit’

I • Orji

bunal to declare them winners instead of those already announced by INEC, alleging allocation of votes, lack of elections, ballot box snatching with the aid of the military, police and other security men.

The two election petition tribunals are sitting every day to meet up with the stipulated time allowed by the Electoral Act for them to finish their sittings and give their verdicts in all the petitions brought before them. However, none of the petitions before them has been concluded.

T is a different case in Sokoto State. So far, no petition has been filed before the tribunal in the state, hence the tribunal has since wound up its sitting.

The tribunal that was said to be in two teams, “A’’ and “B” comprising three members each were inaugurated to receive and decide on petitions filed on both governorship, National and state Assembly elections.

The governorship election in the state was postponed till next year when similar elections are billed to be held in four other states - Cross River, Bayelsa, Kogi and Adamawa.

Team ‘A’ was to act on petitions relating to the governorship election while ‘B’ is saddled with acting on national and state assemblies’ elections conducted in the state.

However, none of the opposition candidates of the political parties that participated in the 2011 national and state assembly elections submitted any peti-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

tion challenging the election of the victorious candidates which were all PDP members.

• Wamakko

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

17

POLITICS FROM THE TRIBUNALS

Akunyili, Ukachukwu challenge Ngige, Uba’s election

I

N Anambra State, there are about 69 cases pending at the election petition tribunals in Awka. There are three panels in all.

All the three Senate seats and 11 House of Representatives seats are being challenged at the tribunal.

The election cases in the state are the highest in the country, so disclosed the chairman of the First Panel handling senatorial cases and some House of Representatives, Hon. Justice Usman Bwala. Two have been struck out for lack of merit.

One of the cases struck-out was between Edozie Aroh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and winner of the election, Hon. Charles Odedo of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Both are from Idemili North and South Federal Constituency. But the petitioner has vowed to move to the Appeal Tribunal where, according to him, he hopes to get judgment.

Another one struck out last Monday was for the Orumba North and South Federal Constituency that pitched Dr. Okey Udeh of APGA against Hon. Ben Nwankwo of the PDP who was declared winner of the election by the INEC. From Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu is challenging the candidature of Dr. Andy Uba of the PDP. Apart from the intra-party matter between the two, Chief Chuma Nzeribe of the APGA is also chal-

• Ngige

• Akunyili

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

lenging Uba’s declaration as winner of the National Assembly elections.

Before the elections, Uba was recognised by the Resident electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, as PDP flagbearer. So did the Chief Ben Udeozor-led PDP faction in the state. But the PDP national headquarters and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party recognised Ukachukwu as the party’s candidate.

Nzeribe of the APGA alleged in-

flation of votes and irregularities during the election in most of the polling centres, especially in Aguata.

In the North Senatorial zone, the contention is between Mrs. Margery Okadigbo, widow of former Senate President, the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo; former Minister of State for Transport, Prince John Emeka and Senator Alphonsus Igbeke.

Emeka, who was declared winner of the election by INEC, is being challenged at the tribunal by Mrs. Okadigbo. Ruling is pending on the case.

For the Central Senatorial Zone, former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, despite losing the election twice, has in conjunction with her party (APGA), dragged the victorious Dr. Chris Ngige of the ACN to the tribunal.

Akunyili is alleging that there were irregularities in some wards during the repeat election, especially in Umuoji, where her supporters were allegedly chased away by the opposition during voting. The matter is at the pre-trial stage in Awka.

Those close to the farmer minister insist that she has a good case, but Ngige’s men say the race is over.

In the House of Representatives elections in Awka North/South Federal constituency, Hon. Ozo Ughamadu of ACN, filed a suit against Emeka Nwogbo of APGA who was declared winner by INEC. The ACN candidate is praying the tribunal to order re-counting of the valid votes, claiming that he won the election.

But INEC and APGA had declined to heed his prayer, while the tribunal equally denied the ACN candidates’ counsel the opportunity to tender the Certified True Copy (CTC) of form EC8A. In the Aguata Federal Constituency, three persons are claiming candidacy of the Peoples Demo-

cratic Party (PDP).

They are Hon. Chike Anyaonu, Ozonma Nobis Elendu, one of the PDP’s legal officers in the state and former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Eucharia Azodo.

Azodo was recognised by the state REC and thus, she got the certificate of return after the elections.

The APGA candidate, Hon. Chukwuma Umeorji, had approached the tribunal, citing allocation of votes and irregularities in his case, among others. The matter is pending for ruling.

Others are Gozie Agbakoba of the ACN and Lynda Ikpeazu of PDP who slugged it out with Egwuatu of APGA for Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency.

Egwuatu is also facing another challenge from former member of the State House of Assembly, Anthonia Tabansi Okoye of the African Liberation Party (ALP).

Okoye is challenging the declaration of APGA candidate because her party’s logo was missing on the ballot paper used for the election.

Apart from Ughanmadu of the ACN’s case against Nwogbo of APGA in Awka North and South Federal Constituency, the PDP candidate Hon. Emmanuel Ucheze, is at the tribunal, seeking nullification of the APGA candidate’s election. Most of the cases are either for pre-trial or for mention while a few are at the hearing stage.

CPC, PDP back in the ring in Niger

F

OUR parties were visible dur ing the elections in the state. The eventual victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the face of the in-road of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) made the legal battle of reclaiming electoral victories at the election petition tribunal another battle royale between the two parties.

However, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) are also at the tribunal struggling to up-turn some victories recorded during the April general elections.

Top on the list of 20 petitions is that of the CPC candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Bako Shetima, who is challenging the victory of Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu. He alleged that the poll was marred by malpractices, including multiple voting, ballot snatching, under-age voting, harassment and coercion of the electorate by security agents.

Shetima, who prayed the tribunal to nullify the outcome of the April 26 governorship election in the state and declare him the winner of the election, intends to call 125 witnesses to substantiate his claims before the Justice Pascal Nnadi-led tribunal.

But, in his reply to the petition, Dr Babangida Aliyu requested the tribunal to dismiss the petition for lack of merit. Presenting his reply through Mr. Olajide Ayodele (SAN), the respondent has only one witness to prove his innocence.

Responding to the petition, the Peoples Democratic Party in a three-volume reply filed by Barrister Rotimi Ojo, denied all the allegations. The party intends to call 263 witnesses, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) counsel, Dr. Sam Ameh (SAN), said that the electoral body intends to invite 18 witnesses to pick holes in Shetima’s petition.

Explaining Aliyu’s decision to call only one witness in the face of weighty and voluminous petition, Barrister Abraham Isah, one of the governor’s lawyers, observed that Shetima’s petition was largely

By Jide Oritunsin

against the INEC and PDP and not Governor Aliyu. He said: “This explains why Governor Aliyu is calling only one witness to prove his case, as against the 263 witnesses of PDP and 18 of INEC.” The tribunal has granted the petitioner leave to inspect all the polling documents. including ballot papers, voters’ registers, distribution of material list and other documents.

The tribunal also ordered the first respondent (INEC) to deliver to the petitioner or his agents certified copies of ballot papers, result sheets and other documents used in the April 26 election

Senate

The victory of the three senators from the state is also being challenged.

Leading the pack of petitions against the Senators is the once filed by the former Chairman of Senate Committee on Security and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Niger North Senatorial District, Senator Nuhu Aliyu. The retired Deputy Inspector General of Police is challenging the victory of Musa Ibrahim of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Also, the victory of PDP Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta (Niger East Senatorial District) is being contested by the CPC senatorial standard bearer, Engineer Mohammed Inua Zakari.

The election of Senator Zaynab Kure, the only woman Senator in the state who polled the highest votes among her peers, is being contested at the tribunal by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for Niger South Senatorial district, Major General Mohammed Garba. The petition is also at the pre-trial conference level.

Two candidates each from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and one candidate each from Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), who lost elections in the Lower Cham-

ber of the National Assembly elections, also filed petitions before the tribunal.

They include Alhaji Buba Mohammed Sanni of PDP, who is contesting the victory of Idris Garba of CPC as the elected representative for Mariga/Mashegu/Kontagora federal constituency, while Honorable Zaynab Nasko of PDP filed petition against Alhaji Atiku Shamaki of CPC over his victory as Rijau/Magama federal constituency representative in the lower chamber.

The two PDP gladiators alleged that the victory of the two CPC candidates was fraught with fraud, multiple voting and coercion of voters.

They also alleged intimidation of eligible voters.

The age long intra-party crisis rocking the ANPP in the state may hamper the petition of Ibrahim Appah against the victory of Honourable James Baitachi of PDP to represent the people of Bosso/ Paikoro federal constituency. Last week two lawyers appeared for ANPP, the second petitioner at the pre-trial conference.

The joy of Hon. Abdulmalik Usman (Cheche) of PDP, who is rep-

• Aliyu

resenting Bida/Katcha Federal Constituency, knew no limit when Hayatu Suleiman of ANPP withdrew the petition against him. But this joy was short-lived when Mohammed Tako of CPC slammed another petition against Usman. Alleging that the victory of the PDP candidate came through electoral irregularities, over voting and inducement of voters, Tako wants the tribunal to nullify the election. The petition is at pre-trial conference.

• Shettima

Hon. Mukthar Ahmed’s second term in the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly, as the representative of Suleja/ Gurara/ Tafa Federal Constituency, is being challenged by the CPC’s Atahiru Musa Abubakar. The CPC candidate petitioned against the PDP flag bearer at the April National Assembly, alleging that the victory of the latter was enhanced through electoral irregularities. The petition is still at pre-trial conference.

Uduaghan, Ogboru test strength again

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N Delta State, the Governorship and Legislative Petitions Tribu nals have received 52 petitions.

But the most critical case is the one involving the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in the April election.

Five petitions arising from the governorship election 47 arising from the state and federal parliamentary elections are before the tribunal.

The PDP candidate, Hon Solomon Awhinahw, is challenging the election of Chief Austin Ogbaburhon of DPP for in Udu/Ughelli Federal Constituency. Hon Ned Nwoko (DPP) and Jude Azukwoh also filed

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

petitions against the election of Dr Arthur Okowa of PDP in Delta North Senatorial District.

Also, in Ika Constituency, Hon Doris Uboh (PDP) filed a petition against the election of Mr. Victor Nwokolo of Accord Party. Chief Ighoyota Amori (PDP) filed a petition against Chief Pius Ewherido (DPP) in Delta Central Senatorial District, while Hon Temi Harriman (ACN) filed a petition against Chief James Manager (PDP). Who emerged senator of Delta South.

Ogboru argued in his statement of claim that INEC wrongfully declared Dr Uduaghan of the PDP

winner of the April 26, 2011 governorship election with 525,793 votes against his actual votes of 233,953.

He accused INEC of allocating additional 291,840 unlawful votes to Dr. Uduaghan and the PDP in order to give them an unmerited favour not derived from the mandate of the electorate.

Ogboru said that his 400,058 votes was the highest lawful votes scored by any candidate at the polls.

He rejected what he described as INEC’s Greek gift of 33,776 unlawful votes arbitrarily added to his (Chief Ogboru’s) lawful votes, adding that these votes were toxic votes not cast by the people.

•Continued on page 18

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

18

POLITICS FROM THE TRIBUNALS

Katsina: Tribunal dismisses Bugaje’s petition

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HE Tribunal in Katsina State, has dismissed the petition filed by Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Dr. Usman Bugaje against Governor Ibrahim Shema.

In his ruling, the presiding judge of the tribunal, Justice Esor Teetito said Bugaji failed to file his prehearing notice for pre-hearing session within time as provided for in the Electoral Act 2011 as amended. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was also a respondent.

The lead counsel Governor Shema, Mr Uyi Iguma, contended that the petitioner did not file a reply to the 3rd respondent’s reply madenrolled on June 6, 2011. He argued that the petitioner had only five days to file a reply and that had lapsed on June 11. He therefore pleaded that the reply but filed on June 13, should be declared invalid.

Considering available evidence, Justice Teetito, relying on section 18 (i), 5 and 11 of the Electoral Act 2010 dismissed the entire petition of the petitioner.

Aminu Bello Masari’s petition against the victory of Governor Shema is being listed for hearing

• Masari

• Shema From Isah Idris, Katsina

and is within the preliminary session.

The case involving senatorial election, the petition of Tukur Jikamchi & ANR against Senator Abu Ibrahim was given a hearing before Hon. Justice S A Akinteye.

The case has being on for hearing since June 20 and Tukur Jikamchi

ACN, PDP renew battle for Bauchi State House

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N Bauchi State,the Governor ship, National and State Assembly Tribunals have received 22 petitions. Of the 22, two arose from the governorship election. The petitioners are the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Hon.Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and another CPC chieftain, Nuhu Gidado.

Tuggar,in a 400-page petition, wants a declaration that Mallam Isa Yuguda was not qualified to contest the governorship election conducted by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), adding that he did not lawfully poll the votes ascribed to him at the election.

Tuggar is praying the court to cancel the results of the election and mandate the INEC to conduct a fresh poll within 90 days.

The CPC candidate has assembled 180 witnesses, including CPC Wards and Polling Units’ agents, who were involved in the election conducted by INEC. Tuggar’s petition, which is still at the pre-hearing stage, was filed by his team of lawyers, comprising Olawale Akoni (SAN),Kingsley Chidozie Osuh, Peter Achunine and Yakubu Galadinma. The tribunal has ruled

has given evidence and adopted his witness deposition on oath. He has also been cross-examined.

Jikamchi’s lead counsel, Iguma, who argued the case of his client before Justice A Akinteye, said that the 1st respondent, Abu Ibrahim, did not win the majority of lawful votes because the Court of Appeal had already declared that those fielded by CPC were not the rightful candidates. He also alleged: “The candidate of CPC returned was not qualified to contest the election because relying on the Appeal Court which said clearly that it was the other faction of CPC

others’ petition against Senator Ahmed Sani Stores, has been listed for hearing. The petition filed by Senator Kanti Bello against Senator Abdu Umar Yadoma is also at its hearing Some other cases pending at the tribunal include, Jikamchi’s petition against Abu Ibrahim; Naseer Babangida against House of Representatives’ member, Gambo Musa. Bala Almu Banye versus Rep. Member Alh. Hamza Dalhatu, and Sani Abdullahi Dabai’s petition against Representative, Aminu Tukur; the petition of Dikko Rada against State Assembly member, Isyaku Majen Wayya; Aminu Ibrahim’s petition against State Assembly Member, Kabiru Brau Kanjiba and Bature Umar petition against Rep. Member Abdullaziz Labo.

Other House of Representatives’ petitions also pending include: Sada Soli against Rep. Member, Umar Abdu Danakama; Nafiu Garba Faskari versus Rep. Member Murtal Isah; Abdulaziz Tajjani versus Rep. Member Muktar.

On the allegation that the Kaduna INEC is not forthcoming with result sheets and other relevant materials, INEC legal team led by Bar. Moris Ode faulted the recklessness of the parties and their “inability to keep custody of the duplicate copies of result sheets issued them.”

Echoes of controversial primaries in Enugu

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

that the counsel can verify the polling materials, which it said, must be released by the INEC for inspection.

The tribunal has tentatively adjourned till tomorrow, when hearing will commence.

Gidado is at the tribunal to challenge his alleged wrongful exclusion from the election by the INEC, despite the fact that he was declared as the authentic governorship candidate by the Federal High Court sitting in Bauchi.

He said: “The governorship election is null and void because I was wrongly excluded from the exercise. The INEC should conduct a fresh election”.

As at the time of this report, seven petitions had been slated for pre-hearing by the tribunal.

The tribunal members are female jurists. They are Justice Maria Sanda Zukogi (Chairperson), Catherine Nwobodo and Oyebola Ojo. It is expected to conclude its assignment within six months(180 days), in compliance with Section 134, Subsection 2 of the amended 2010 Electoral Act.

that actually had the proper primaries on January 13, 2011 and not the one of 13th relied upon by the respondent.” Hence, he said the election should be annulled.

The lead counsel for Ibrahim, Mr Festus Okoye, punctured the petitioner’s claim on two grounds: That the petitioners were not complaining about any electoral malpractices or irregularities in any way and that the other allegation that the respondent was not properly nominated or validly sponsored was baseless. He said that the petitioners wanted to reap where they did not sow.

Besides the poll results of the wards and local governments, the petitioners tendered the originating process filed in the case of Senator Yakubu Lado by CPC at the High Court and at the Federal Court of Appeal, but were being challenged by the counsel to the respondent as not admissible.

Also, counsel to the respondent added that Sen. Ibrahim was validly nominated, won the election and was issued Certificate of Returns and CPC is not contending his election victory.

The petitioners, relying on the judgment of the Appeal Court, are now pleading the court that they should be declared winner.

However, the case has been adjourned.

Senator Ibrahim Ida and three

From Chris Oji, Enugu

• Chime

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PPONENTS in Enugu State are challenging the victories of the governor, senators, House of Representatives members and state legislators because they became candidates in controversial primaries.

In his petition challenging the election of Governor Sullivan Chime, the Labour Party candidate Okey Ezea, a lawyer, claimed that Chime and his deputy “had not fully participated in

all the stages of the election.”

Averring that they did not participate in all the stages of the primaries, Ezea contended “that the votes attributed to them in the said election were not attributable to them; the votes were therefore, wasted and counted for nothing, having been cast for persons who in the eyes of the law were not candidates of any political party.”

Ezea also insisted that their “election was not valid because of noncompliance with the provisions of the Act, which had substantially affected the result of the election and that one who did not participate in the primary election cannot validly claim to having been sponsored by any political party as its candidate in the election.”

“The 1st respondent (Chime) did not participate in any primary election of the PDP to elect its candidate for the election”.

The petitioner further claims that there were evidence of multiple vot-

ing in favour of Chime who scored almost 500,000 votes.

The same claims were made by those challenging the election of Senator Ayogu Eze, Dr. Michael Ajogu (SAN) of Labour Party (LP) and Col. Jonathan Okolagu (rtd) of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for Enugu North senatorial seat.

Obinna Ezeofor of PDC is challenging the victory of the Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu in the Enugu West Senatorial Zone.

Newly elected member of the House of Representatives, Tobias Okechukwu of PDP, has to contend with two petitions from Harford Jerry Chijioke of PDC and Victor Offordu of ACN in Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River Federal Constituency.

Emeka Eya of Labour Party dragged Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to the tribunal over Igbo Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency election.

Paul Eze of PDC is challenging the election of Princess Stella Ngwu of PDP in the Igbo Etiti/ Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency.

Uduaghan, Ogboru test strength again •Continued from page 17

•Uduaghan

Earlier, the Justice Ayo Abisoyeled tribunal had granted Ogboru an order of inspection of the ballots while the PDP counsel, Mr. Ken Mozia, was also granted permission to join in the inspection of the materials.

Mozia stressed that the materials are substantial in the determination of the case.

However, with the applications and contention over joint inspection over, activities have returned to the tribunal.

But some of the governorship candidate’s petitions have lost steam with several pulling out of the case. For example, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) governorship candidate, Mr. Obaro Unuafe,

has withdrawn his petition.

Unuafe said his withdrawal was hinged on the high cost of litigation and pressures from family members to discontinue the case at the tribunal.

He said: “I have consulted widely with my family and cotravellers in Isoko where I hail from and my numerous friends across political divides and one inexorable destination is for me to withdraw from my quest that is far more expensive, time consuming and riskier than one can ever imagine.”

Unuafe accused the judicial system of rewarding the wealthy and influential in the society.

Some parliamentary candidates have also withdrawn their cases.For instance, Dr Chris

Ekiyor (ACN) Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency withdrew his petition against Nicholas Mutu (PDP).

Moving the motion for the withdrawal before the Delta State Election Petition Tribunal presided over by Yakubu Dawak, his counsel, Matthew Izokwu, said his client is withdrawing the case because of the overall interest of the Ijaw nation and his constituency.

But a good number of aggrieved candidates have forged ahead with their petitions. One of such is Ned Nwoko (DPP) against Arthur Okowa (PDP) for the Delta North Senatorial District seat. Nwoko is seeking the nullification of the result declared by INEC and his declaration as the winner. But this the case is still at the pre-hearing stage.

In Delta Central Chief Ighoyota Amori (PDP) is at the tribunal seeking to upturn the results that Pius Ehwerido to the Senate. He is also seeking an order nullifying the election. He urged the tribunal to direct INEC to conduct fresh election.

For ex-legislator Doris Uboh (PDP), who is contesting the victory of Victor Nwokolo (Accord Party) in Ika Federal Constituency, INEC acted in error by declaring Nwokolo winner.. She wants the tribunal to declare the election invalid due to alleged corrupt practices perpetrated and the non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act. Uboh, alleged that Nwokolo was, at the time of the election, not qualified to contest the election.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY ,JULY 6, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Worrisome refugee status •More countries in West Africa should face the challenge headlong

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ARTICIPANTS at the ongoing ministerial conference on humanitarian assistance and internal displacements in West Africa holding in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, have something to chew, with the revelation that Africa is home to about 11.1 million of the global 27.5 million forced out of their homes on the continent. The gathering, the first of its kind in the sub-region, is jointly organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The conference is important because it is expected to draw attention to the fact that about 14 of the countries in the region are yet to ratify, not to talk of begin the implementation of the African Union (AU) Convention (Kampala Convention) for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Of the 15 countries in West Africa, only Sierra Leone and the Gambia have ratified the convention that aims mainly to bring succour to the displaced as well as embody preemptive measures against the phenomenon. Only 15 of the 53 countries on the continent have signed.

Nigeria has had its tragic share of such displaced persons. The civil war created a situation and we recovered after years of integration. But in the past few years, we have witnessed upheavals that have displaced persons, if not in the mass droves we see in the most prone countries. The ethno-religious imbroglio in Plateau State, the Niger Delta militancy and the election riots have brought Nigeria to the fore as one the hotspots for

concern.

The record for the country and indeed the region is poor. African countries can and indeed should do better, considering the grim statistics revealing that the continent accounts for nearly half of the world’s conflict-induced IDPs, with the largest concentration of these in just three countries, – Sudan (4.5 million to 5.2 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (about 1.7 million) and Somalia (1.5 million). Outside the continent, only two other countries – Iraq and Colombia – had more than one million IDPs by the end of last year.

There are other compelling reasons why Arica has to show more concern about the refugee situation. The numbers of resettled people are down, with only about one percent of them or even less resettled each year. Moreover, the number of people returning home is also down. For example, last year, fewer than 200,000 people returned home, the lowest in a decade.

Worse still, the causes of displacement are not going away, with new conflicts breaking in North Africa, Ivory Coast and Sudan. Add these to the millions of people around the world who are homeless due to natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the picture becomes the more frightening. Africa should be particularly worried because IDPs appear largely to be a problem for the poor countries. Such countries also, incidentally, bear the greatest burden of caring for these destitute millions.

The problem is compounded by the

fears expressed by the UNHCR that citizens of countries that bear the burden of the victims are beginning to object to hosting them or even the asylum seekers due to the economic situation in their respective countries. Although some people claim these are over-bloated, the fact is that whether the claim is true or not, Africa has to put its house in order.

And the situation calls for concerted action.

We therefore urge participants at the Abuja conference to forge an agreement on a common declaration as well as a roadmap for the formulation of a regional approach to displacement problems based on the AU convention.

This they can begin by signing the eight instruments needed to be signed for the convention to come into force.

‘The record for the country and indeed the region is poor.

African countries can and indeed should do better, considering the grim statistics revealing that the continent accounts for nearly half of the world’s conflict-induced IDPs, with the largest concentration of these in just three countries, – Sudan (4.5 million to 5.2 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (about 1.7 million) and Somalia (1.5 million)’

Illegal arms •We should worry over the volume and sophistication of the ones in Nigeria

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IVEN her population, geographical size, resource endowment, historical antecedents, relative military strength and strategic location, Nigeria has always been perceived as a stabilising factor in West Africa and Africa as a whole. Indeed, a key component of the country’s foreign policy is promoting international peace, not only in her immediate sub-region, but across the globe.

Thus, Nigeria has severally earned plaudits for the discipline and efficiency of her troops in peace-keeping missions abroad. Its military and diplomatic influence were decisive factors in ending protracted civil wars in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone, and setting them back on the democratic path.

Against this background, it is disturbing that Nigeria has been identified as a possible source of destabilisation in Africa. According to the Coordinator of the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN), Mr Allen Onyema, the volume of unlicensed and illegal arms in circulation in Nigeria is enough to destabilise Africa.

In his words: “The amount and sophistication of arms in wrong hands in Nigeria could destabilise the whole of Africa. We work closely with these militants, we know that. So, the government has to be careful. I am sure that the security agencies know this. We have the staff to post people all over the place …The violent culture in Nigeria is growing and it is very scaring”.

These are indeed sobering words,

which nobody interested both in the stability of Nigeria and Africa can afford to treat with levity. The unprecedented degree of violent crimes in contemporary Nigeria – armed robbery, assassinations, kidnapping, communal strife, bomb explosions, religious conflicts, political thuggery, etc. – testify to the large number of sophisticated arms available to unauthorised persons who use them to disrupt the peace and stability of society.

A key defining characteristic of any state is its monopoly of the instruments of coercion within its territorial jurisdiction.

When unscrupulous elements can undermine the authority of the state through ownership of weapons that enable them to endanger law and order, then there is the imminent danger of descent to anarchy as we are gradually witnessing in Nigeria.

But then, how come that unlicensed arms are circulating in such alarming numbers in a country that is not at war?

One reason for this is the widely acknowledged porous nature of the country’s borders. While the authorities make a dramatic show of cache of illegal arms seized once a while at the borders, the reality is that most of the sophisticated arms that enter the country are undetected. It is thus important that the agencies in charge of border security be strengthened to perform their duties with greater efficiency and efficacy.

We cannot also dismiss lightly the allegation that unscrupulous members of some of the country’s armed security agencies rent out their arms to criminal

elements for pecuniary purposes. There is thus the need for tighter control of arms and ammunition issued by the country’s security agencies to ensure they do not fall into unauthorised hands. A related factor is the allegation that desperate politicians intent on winning elections at all cost in the past recruited and armed private militia that ultimately got out of control. We cannot equally discount the growing capacity of local blacksmiths and related artisans to fabricate weapons, even if of a rudimentary nature.

It is thus at these different levels that the war against unlicensed arms must be fought. More importantly, we agree with FEHN that government must be proactive in inculcating non-violent behaviour in the citizenry through both the formal and non-formal education and socialisation systems. A refugee crisis arising from a major conflagration in Nigeria could have disastrous implications for Africa.

‘It is thus at these different levels that the war against unlicensed arms must be fought. ... We agree with FEHN that government must be proactive in inculcating non-violent behaviour in the citizenry through both the formal and non-formal education and socialisation systems. A refugee crisis arising from a major conflagration in Nigeria could have disastrous implications for Africa’

Free speech and the Internet

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S the United Nations has said, access to the Internet is a human right.

A report by the U.N.’s special rapporteur presented last month to the Human Rights Council in Geneva warns that this right is being threatened by governments around the world — democracies included.

The main concern is about oppressive regimes trying to squash political dissent — like China, which jails bloggers, blocks Web sites and filters the Internet to eradicate words, including “democracy,” from the conversation.

The report also warned against overzealous attempts by democratic states to control or censor online communications.

Stopping infringement of intellectual property or the distribution of child pornography is legitimate. But governments must protect citizens’ rights to speak freely — anonymously when necessary.

In Italy, a court convicted Google executives because a user uploaded a video on YouTube depicting cruelty to a disabled teenager, even though Google quickly removed the offending content. Brazil’s Congress is debating legislation that would require Internet service providers to keep a log of customers’ online activity for three years, which authorities could access without a court order to pursue crimes such as calumny.

The French and British parliaments have passed draconian laws that would ban users from the Internet for illegally downloading copyrighted material. The United States Senate is considering an intellectual property bill that would allow the government or private businesses to take action against a potentially large array of Web sites for “facilitating” piracy, an excessively broad definition.

The U.N. has proposed sound guidelines to defend free expression: censorship of content online must be transparent and enforced only through the courts.

Governments should not rely on private entities like service providers to censor content and should not hold them liable for user content. Counterterrorism should not be an excuse to bar expression, unless it is to prevent imminent threats.

With few exceptions, governments should not adopt Internet registries that require users to reveal their identities.

And defamation — so often used as a legal tool to repress political speech — should be decriminalized. Finally, nobody should be banned from the Internet.

It is a fundamental tool for enabling free speech.

New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Controller (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho

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•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

•Pre-Press Manager Chuks Bardi •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: A new dimension has been introduced to the level of insecurity in the land with the latest, being the bomb blast that occurred at the Louis Edet House, headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.What has, perhaps, made this case disturbing is the fact that it happened right within the vicinity of those constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people.

Acts of terrorism and criminality appear to be getting more complex and sophisticated by the day. Apart from the colossal loss of lives and property, incessant crises often lead to capital flight culminating into its attendant unfavourable investment climate.

We cannot afford to take with levity, the recurring decimal otherwise we may just wake up to see the tatters of a nation.

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Growing insecurity in the land After the amnesty granted the Niger-Delta militants, one would have expected restiveness to abate.

Rather, kidnappings and arms proliferation have been rife in the oil rich region. With the hostilities in the oil regions, abductions and now Boko Haram, I don’t think we can’t sleep with our two eyes closed except we want to deceive ourselves.

This year alone, members of the Boko Haram were said to have bombed the Maiduguri office of the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) while it spearheaded the illegal liberation of 14 inmates of Yola prison during a jail break.

While Nigerians were still recuperating after the suicide attack on police headquarters, the sect was said to have carried out another bombing on a recreation centre. This time, motorcycles, apparently ridden by its members was reported to have been used to throw explosives on 25 fun seekers, killing them.

To begin with, the various secu-

rity agencies should be more proactive. I wonder why the bombers have not been apprehended. After all, they are not spirits. Ballisticians say the process of assembling bombs takes time and involves a chain of activities. With good networking and intelligence gathering, bomb assemblage and planting could have been detected, truncated and quashed.

Security agencies need to work together and synergize for effective inter-agency co-operation. What we

Good conduct, not re-branding

IR: We were taught in an AIDS awareness campaign seminar in Port Harcourt as teenagers in secondary School in 2003 that good conduct is the only way to stop the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome alas AIDS and not the irritant condom some other HIV/AIDS activists preached.

We agreed then, I still agree now.

Since good conduct-moral uprightness; will entail that the issue of sex before marriage will not occur; same goes to the image of a country. No amount of image laundering (rebranding) will change the perception of the peoples of the world about Nigeria if the Nigerian citizenry are not behaving in a proper way. Thus, so long as there are scandals, corruption, drug trafficking, terrorism, killing etc, the world will see Nigeria as a bad place and Nigerians as bad people. Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation will be a rubbish rant if her people refuse to show attitudinal change. Irrespective of the ratio involved in this colossal damage, the truth is that they are Nigerians and are seen so world over.

Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation! Without first cleaning the hearts and inimical attitude of her people?

Not long after the re-branding campaign, a Nigerian was involved in an act of terrorism and suicide bombing. The ‘Good People, Great Nation’ found herself in hot waters of image

scandal. Nigeria was immediately enrolled in the United States ‘special list’ of terrorist countries.

At the time of this re-branding, we cannot boast of good roads, electricity, neat and efficient airports, fine housing scheme, employment and good welfare. In fact, within that period, the World Bank released a figure of $2,398.78 per person per annum in July, 2010. This shows a per capita income of $3.00 a day! That period also witnessed strike action from University Lecturers for what they termed, “the neglect of educators, education and knowledge”. It was still then that the proposed #18,000 about $114.73 minimum wage was being advocated though it was rejected by most Governors. Are

these, features of a great nation? Then where is the greatness and honor in all these?.

Good People? The ‘Etteh-gate’ and subsequent war of words that greeted the nation’s House of Representative were within the period of re-branding Nigeria. Check Nigerian Newspapers online, you will see where that free for all fight is hoisted. What about that grand welcome and reception that was given to an ex-convict? The many cases of corrupt Government officials and bank executives standing trials; the endless drug trafficking cases, kidnapping, killing, rape etc? Does this make a good people?

Good attitude and morally upright behavior will change our image than any well composed words; irrespec-

tive of the writer or poet that composed such words. The money spent during the re-branding crusade is an imprudent spending as we have found out today. So changing the attitude of Nigerians is far more important to those sweet words.

Nigeria: Good people, Great Nation will be achieved not by the number of times we echoed the words nor the amount of newspaper advertorial space and broadcast commercial time, but by our good hearts in dealing with others, shunning of corruption, drug trafficking etc and developing our country. This is the re-branding we need and not the deceit we engaged earlier.

• Uwalaka Temple Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt

have at the moment is a situation in which our security agencies want to outsmart each other. Just like a football team, whereby a single player wants to defend, attack and score at the same time without making recourse to other players. Two things are likely to happen. It’s either the footballer turns into a dramatist in his folly while others opt for ‘siddon look’ or he gets crashed out! And who loses? The team of course! That is what we see and hear when security agents engage in in-fighting, trade blames and shirk in their responsibilities.

Nigeria has not really made much progress in resolving its many ethno-religious and political crises because those apprehended for such violence are either shielded from prosecution or are set free from their alleged mis-deeds.

The nagging question of true federalism will continue to raise dust.

Until we summon the courage to face the daunting challenge of evolving a true federal state, many of the experiences and problems facing the nation may not be over. One of the ideals we are talking about is the issue of state police. The present arrangement, in which the commissioner of police reports to his Inspector-General, and not the state governor, who answers to the appellation, Chief Security Officer of the state is retrogressive. While one is not advocating that security or should be the sole business of government, it will amount to failure on its part, as a constitutional duty, if government fails to secure and protect the life and property of it’s citizenry.

• Adewale Kupoluyi University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State

NYSC: Why post corpers to Bauchi and Borno states?

IR: MEDIA reports recently had it that the National Youth Service Corps either inadvertently or deliberately posted fresh graduates to some states in the northern part of the country where their lives could not be guaranteed.

The decision of the management of the scheme and the counter reaction of the institution to the posting of innocent youths to where security cannot be guaranteed show the position of our leaders to the security of our

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youths and the commitment of the university authorities to the welfare and safety of its product.

The authorities hinged its decision not to allow its products to any part of the north to the killings of 10 students in Bauchi among whom was a graduate of the university.

It is unfortunate that those in authority are trivializing the issue of security and delight in looting the treasury instead of placing emphasis on the welfare and security of the

youths.

Of recent, the Director General of NYSC Brigadier General M Tsiga said publicly that no corper would be posted to violence-prone states like Borno and Bauchi states. Why the Uturn when extremists operating under Boko Haram are killing on daily basis?

One would have expected the Director General of NYSC to remember the level of insecurity in Borno, Bauchi and other states where Boko

Haram insisted on executing their jihad and wipe out all those promoting scholarship.

Laudable as the objectives of the scheme is, the government should show more concern in the area of insecurity and keep the youths away from Borno, Bauchi and other dangerous states in the North. Let the indigenes of those states serve in those zones at least for now.

• Adesola Babalola, The polytechnic road, Ibadan .

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

GEJ: Ignorance Elimination by ‘Media Ads for Dev’; Media Law for Dev & More Media Messages

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UR President, Governors and LGA Chairmen should consider a plastic recycling plant set up by local businesses and universities for the billion Tony pure water bags, plastic Marinho bottles and plastic bags threatening to strangle Nigeria. This is one of many environmentally friendly ‘waste to wealth’ initiatives operational abroad and available on the internet.

The federal, state and LGA civil services throughout Nigeria are politically bloated with political jobbers and hangers on and file blockers. Civil services with such built-in inefficiencies delay decisions and have files stacked high in the ‘dead tray’ or endlessly ‘lost’ unless prompted to be ‘found’ by a fat bribe.

In Nigeria we do not use our talents for development and life saving education. The ‘Advert Strategy’ successfully sells anything especially product information as seen by multibillions advert budgets annually and the billions on political posters and electronic adverts for the last election and the resultant torn and tattered posters left. Advertising achieves simple elimination of ignorance about a product and secondly puts it in a good desirable light.

Our citizens suffer from the killer disease ‘Ignorance’. Yet governments do not utilise ‘the advert strategy’ the ‘Media for Development’ to lift our people out of that ignorance. They do not take advantage of media gurus and marketers who can sell anything to anyone merely by eliminating their ignorance educating them, sometimes wrongly.

Getting ‘life skills’ information to the citizenry is good governance in an ignorant country. But government owns most of the media and can easily send a million state and federal messages as the airtime there is wasted on mindless music and entertainment without empowerment. Governments have rejected or wasted the media armament of radio and TV for 50 years, 24 hours of airtime on most channels. Periodically we have UN, WHO, UNICEF etc days to highlight various social topics-like AIDS Day, clean Hands Day, Kill Mosquitoes Day

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IGERIA is a country so richly blessed in human and material resources. There are so many untapped natural resources which will make those in the desert regions green with envy. In addition, the country enjoys rich vegetation in most parts which makes farming a productive venture.

But like the mariner in that popular poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “water, water, every where, nor any drop to drink”, Nigeria is a country that wallows in self pity, in self-inflicted pains and trauma. Self-pity in the sense that her numerous natural resources are untapped. Her vegetation is not being properly utilized to provide succor to her teeming population who are mostly poor, underfed, uncared for and in fact, hopeless.

Yet the country’s woes are self-inflicted. The discovery of oil in the mid-1950 seems to have become a curse rather than a blessing. As soon as the country began to export oil, other natural resources became second fiddle. The sector is completely mismanaged while the revenue accruing from it is largely misappropriated. The insincerity of our policy makers has resulted in agitations for resource control and better standard of living by indigenes of the region that produces the “black gold”, as oil is widely known. These agitations have turned violent in the past, leading to low oil output and consequently, low revenue for the country.

It is because the country has earned a distinction in mismanagement that its four refineries are running below 15 percent of installed

etc. marching through the calendar year but there is hope at last. Happily the Ministry of Health and the National Cancer Control Programme has just involved the media in the battle against ignorance about cancers. But what about the other life skill things like Okada murders? Cholera is back, this time in Plateau State. The ‘Media And Development’ –MAD- or ‘Media Advertising for Development’ is a good linkage. In Nigeria the media is largely a wasted education space. Even the AU ignores its leadership role in ensuring the media as a ‘Weapon for African Development’ and does not have Africa-wide IECIgnorance Elimination Campaign strategies.

At the threshold of this new 2011-2015 Jonathan regime, politicians, legislators, professionals and NGOs can ‘think tank’ to initiate a ‘Revolution in the Media/ Citizen’ space. What President Jonathan and Nigeria must first do is to introduce legislation and make local and national laws or guidelines to allocate compulsory dedicated amount of airtime daily to life skill messages aimed at ‘Urgent Ignorance Elimination Campaigns –IEC’ throughout Nigeria budgeting if necessary.

A revolution is taking place in the media abroad with useful ‘IEC’ information passed to the citizens. We must duplicate it in Nigeria. NN24 CSR and A Communication For Change Production in collaboration with Ford Foundation is a good start and is similar to the VUKA Adverts on South African TV and the ACT Advertising for Change Together social messages on the CNN and other Cable networks. The adverts on alcohol, trafficking etc and are yet to be reproduced in the local media, giving access to millions of ignorant ordinary viewers on simple non-cable networks. Incredibly any advert for social messaging is charged ‘commercial rates’ by the media house in an attempt to boost ‘Internally Generated Revenue’.

One wishes that these adverts which are on the cable channels also find their way into the media controls airtime. NGOs from Boy Scouts, to Educare Trust to anti AIDS groups have been forced to create and ‘advertise’ their own social messages and sadly pay for them at commercial rates. Even the Gates Foundation paid commercial rates for empty space to protect Nigerians from AIDS. President Jonathan, Governors, CEOs should summon emergency meetings to allocate airtime informing the citizenry of

life skills through MEDIA life skill messaging. They can do this by enforcing a lawTHE MEDIA CSR LAW/ REGULATION stating that ‘EVERY ELECTRONIC MEDIA ORGANISATION MUST PROVIDE 1 HOUR, 60 MINUTES IN 15, 30, 60 SECOND SLOTS OF LIFE SKILL SOCIAL MESSAGES RECRUITED FROM LOCAL SOURCES NGOS, INTERNATIONAL BODIES AND DELIVERED THROUGHOUT THE DAY FOR THE IGNORANCE ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN IN HEALTH AND OTHER IMPORTANT LIFE SAVING SKILLS’. Such a law implemented in 100 radio stations and 50 TV stations would create a well informed citizenry about cancer and messages from ministries and health and safety institutions. A country which does not teach these same messages in a special ‘LIFE SKILLS CLASS’ BOOKLET read at morning school assembly is breeding a future army of ignorant citizens.

One other revolutionary ‘Ignorance Elimination Campaign’ strategic advertising opportunity missed by the entire world is to include A ‘LIFE SKILL MASSAGE’ IN EVERY SINGLE COMMERCIAL ADVERT. Imagine every MTN, Dangote, Coca Cola and Glo advert also by law having an AIDS, Road Safety, trafficking or dangerous driving, seat belt or read-a-good-book ‘social life skill’ message. Such government and Corporate Media Advertising Strategies would save lives of customers and citizens and soon Eliminate Ignorance at almost no extra cost and result in an educated population. But it will not happen!

‘What President Jonathan and Nigeria must first do is to introduce legislation and make local and national laws or guidelines to allocate compulsory dedicated amount of airtime daily to life skill messages aimed at ‘Urgent Ignorance Elimination Campaigns –IEC’ throughout Nigeria’

Minimum Wage, Maximum Trouble capacity. What this abysmal production level translates into is the widespread poverty and squalor in the region that produces the oil. Again, as the high revenue earner for government, albeit the only visible source of revenue, poverty is pervasive in the country which is at the forefront of oil-producing countries in the world.

It was in the midst of this misery that, sometimes ago, the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, proposed N52,000 as minimum wage for the average worker. Before then, his average minimum take-home pay was less than N7,500, excluding the numerous taxes and deductions.

Arriving at it was no tea party either. Workers went on strike several times before the government of the day grudgingly succumbed.

Arguments were even put forward then to determine whether that could be called a living wage. This was so because prices of essential commodities have continued to rise astronomically ever since. Besides, the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, has been spiralling every day. From a rock bottom price of less than N1.50k per litre in 1976, it has risen to N65 today and there is still the threat of further increase as long as we cannot refine the oil within our shores. It is shameful.

The federal government claims that petrol prices are heavily subsidized and has been canvassing for the removal of this subsidy. But

‘The bad news about this minimum wage issue is that even if the N18,000 is paid, the current rate of inflation in the country and the anticipated new price regime for goods and services that will follow will reduce it to nothingness’

those who should know, like Prof.

Tam David-West, former Petroleum Minister, have variously dismissed this claim as mere bunkum.

The Virology professor has maintained that government is only being economical with the truth and that there is nothing like subsidy.

And if it exists at all, he says, it should be in the imagination of thieving government officials.

Now, the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has signed a bill allowing N18,000 as minimum wage into law.

That was done a few weeks to the April 2011 general elections, where he stood for election. Perhaps, that is why many people are of the opinion that signing the bill into law was more of a political salesmanship than the need to meet the yearnings of the average Nigerian worker who has been pauperized over the years by inflation.

The elections are over, and the May 2011 date given by the government for the commencement of payment has passed. Today, the Nigerian worker is totally disillusioned by the lack of commitment to the letters of the agreement by governments at both the federal and state levels. The bubble seems to have burst as NLC has threatened a showdown if this scenario is not resolved in two weeks. Almost one week has passed since this ultimatum was issued.

As usual, the governments are becoming jittery as the days are fast running out. To underscore the commotion that NLC’s ultimatum has caused in the polity, Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State and newly elected chairman of the Governors’ Forum, came up with what, in his wisdom, he thought was the only way out of the logjam.

He advocated the removal of petroleum subsidy which David-West had said never existed in the first place. If at all there is anything like

subsidy as Nigerians are made to believe, the price of a litre of petrol could jump to as much as N130 if it is removed. In that case, if it took a car about N4,500 to fill its tank now, the price could jump to N9,000 or more, considering the sharp practices going on in filling stations.

Quite recently, the cement manufacturers attributed the high cost of cement (the highest anywhere in the world) to the rise in the cost of diesel which has continued its geometrical price ascendency in the last few months. Diesel is what the big trucks carrying cement from the factories to retail outlets use to power their engines. The same diesel is used to power the production machines because of the epileptic nature of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria which has continued to hold on to power supply rather than release them for public consumption. Most generators in homes also run on diesel.

It is obvious that the governments have no solution to this minimum wage palaver. The only government that has so far crossed the volatile hurdle is Ondo State, where the workers recently went on strike for three days. The negotiations that followed produced N14,000 as mutually agreed minimum wage with the prospect of gradual increase until the N18,000 is achieved. Unfortunately, rather than applaud this breakthrough, some governors and even the NLC have criticized this agreement by describing it as a betrayal. I personally do not agree with that. What the various governments need to do is to lay bare their revenue and expenditure portfolio to allow their workforce to appraise the situation. If the workers show understanding, they can give the governors some breathing space like they did in Ondo State.

Another way is for the federal government to increase revenue al-

Dele Agekameh location to the states. The states too need to cut down on the many frivolous expenses in their yearly budget, especially the security votes which are conduits through which taxpayers’ money end up in private pockets. The security votes even in some relatively peaceful states are very scandalous. So also is the bloated workforce which, in most cases, comprises idle workers getting paid for jobs not done. Therefore, the workforce needs to be tinkered with to make it more compact and efficient.

The bad news about this minimum wage issue is that even if the N18,000 is paid, the current rate of inflation in the country and the anticipated new price regime for goods and services that will follow will reduce it to nothingness. Petrol prices are threatening to go up, cement prices are still up there, house rents are obscene, kerosene prices are out of the reach of the common man, the cost of ‘unavailable’ electricity has already been jerked up, foodstuff prices have ballooned to the rooftop, cost of medical services is daily skyrocketing, school fees are becoming unaffordable, and many more. All these are pointers to maximum trouble for minimum wage campaigners.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘Dear Dare, your write-up is master piece of metaphor which mark my day. The annuallment of June 12 election by military cabal either through forced or unforced error in which the hero of our democratic strungle late M.K.O. Abiola died in detention is ungodly. Unless Chief M.K.O. Abiola is postumosly installed as president of our beloved country, history will not absorve Babangida and Senator David Mark. Tope Omobulejo, Ifaki Ekiti’

•Awolowo For Segun Gbadegesin Hi Sege! So you are self centred. Your son is repeating what you and I have been saying. Anonymous Dr., I agree with you, please derive means of bringin the states involve together and let us pray that ACN will capture Kogi and Kwara in the next election. Enock from Kaduna.

Dear Dr. Gbadegesin, I last read your article on ‘Restructructing for the Nigerian state.’ I have missed your article since then as I was on a study tour in Israel. I am excited by your proposition of EICSS “Towards a Fuller Union-1”. I recommend a book by Senor & Singer, “Start-up Nation” on how Israel, a nation of 7.1 million has turned to become the venture capital of the world and excelling in turning desert landscape into land of lush agriculture and high tech industries. With the recycled dead wood GEJ has reappointed it is clear that it is “Not Yet Uhuru” for the nation.

If the Nigeria nation is not ready to move, the Oodua States should move towards the needed coordinated development programmes for the Southwest. Gbade, keep ringing this tune into the ears of all the Governors. It was on such a principle that the “Progressive Governors” were born. Dr. Abayomi Oguntoye, Abeokuta.

This is a well thought out piece from a sound mind please keep it up, we pray they listen and do something fast. Olu-Victor Thanks Dr. To achieve what you are preaching in your article, as well as your son’s views, I think the governors and their so called first ladies should undergo periodic orientations and cluster workshops about good governance. In Ekiti for example, the unhidden display of flamboyance by the first lady may whittle people’s enthusiasim which hitherto stirs up their impatience to give that government time to prove points. Vincent You are a real son of your father ‘Omoluabi’. I am in total agreement with you of Yoruba Union infrastructure integration. But can Mimiko government go along with its anti Awo/ACN sentiment of robbing Paul to pay Peter? Until ACN secure Ondo state. Olu, Akure.

Sir, your today’s piece provides an insight into the future. Sir, I totally agree with you on the need for a new socio-economic order cum revolution in the South West. I suggest that it be code named ‘’ S / W Federation Co-operatn (SWFC).” From Barr. S .

0 . Ojo Lagos, yes is in the west, but has never been part of or administered as part of western region. It was not carved out but created as a crown colony/federal territory. Anonymous Sir, can you feed me with information on why the Southwest could not get tangible positions in the House of Senate and Reps.

Qozim Sanjo from Port Harcourt.

Dr. Gbadegesin is on the mark Prof. is waiting for the conclusion. Hope he is aware that Lagos, which will be crucial to the project is not yet in the ‘Oodua’ net.

Regards. Olu. Dr. Gbadegesin, I commend your wider

view and plain mindedness to the plights of our region. This had been tried before Fashola Agric. Farms, Ire Burnt Bricks, etc.

Even when I was young, U.I. had an agrofarm where staffers buy cows, hens, pork and eggs. What happened there-after was that people without vision took the products for social parties without paying, then total collapse. Our problems are not the ideas but faithful executors without which no program can succeed. I am as worried as you are. Who else worries with us?

Olaofe Ajayi (Ado-Ekiti) Are there examples of where such economic integration and cooperation ever worked? “State-rization’’ of the country makes this almost impossible. I am sure you have lost hope in the country and hinging a very feeble hope on what was. A Sovereign National Conference is the answer. To the drainpipes with Nigeria.

Nathan in Owerri.

The southwest ACN should now try to consolidate their footing by having relatively common agenda which will improve the people’s welfare and serve as good example for other states to copy. Respect for the electorate because there lies the, powerò 4- year not far pleasòe. Anonymous I am quite impressed by your write-up about the ‘Regional of the Western States.’

I wonder if there is a structure or platform on which we can move idea forward?

Tunji Lawal-Solarin Good morning sir Dr. Gbadegesin, I have been enjoing your piece on ‘Yoruba, towards a fuller union,’ but please as a Yoruba man coming from the minority (Okun people of Kogi state), what can you do for us or what must be done to fully integrate we the minority Yorubas to also be called majority because I am tired of being linked with Northern people which I am not and also encourage the elders of Afenifere to also include us in any Yoruba related activities. hope to get your reply in the next edition of your piece. Anonymous Re-’Unforced errors’ there are more to June 12 that has not been told than the lyrics IBB are making the world to believe.

Thanks for your write-up. Sunny Oke, Abuja Have you ever pondered why Jega was appointed to preside over Jonathan’s presidensy? check this j - jonathan e ebele g - goodluck a – azikiwe, that is Jega, his apointment is from heaven. Franklyn Akande, Ososo My late father though educated got me to see Awolowo in the moon in 1979..., but that is not possible again my brother.

Anonymous The Yoruba nation as at today even needs a more sophìstcated Awo and there is none on the horizon yet my brother.

Anonymous Please task the respective governors to perform as Fashola, Oshiomole and Mimiko are doing! Anonymous They may choose to have some investment but it should be optional. Anonymous You will be shocked to know that the political dynamics of Osun is different from Oyo, so let the respective governors sort out the issues of governance and don’t shield those who can’t perform. Anonymous Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo cross examines Olusegun Obasanjo on Nigeria.

Awolowo: do you love Nigeria Segun?

Obasanjo: if I don’t will I be the President?

Awolowo: I know you wouldn’t want me to remind you that I’m the cross examiner here.

Obasanjo: sorry sir.

Awolowo: what do you love about this country?

Obasanjo: everything sir.

Awolowo: why do you want Nigeria to be ruled by PDP for a long time?

Obasanjo: it is because I love the country.

Awolowo: Segun, you were given two opportunities to rule Nigeria twice, how come you asked for a third term to rule?

Obasanjo: it is because I want my love for Nigeria to be unconditional.

Awolowo: do you love progressives in Nigeria?

Obasanjo: yes the one like myself.

Awolowo: do you hate the conservatives?

Obasanjo: yes.

Awolowo: I thought you said earlier that you love this country?

Obasanjo: yes, just the conservatives.

Awolowo: Segun why is Nigeria not having it good for now?

Obasanjo: it is because my successors have decided to follow their own shadows and not mine.

Awolowo: so you mean yours is the best for Nigeria?

Obasanjo: yes.

For Olatunji Dare The oil in the Niger Delta and its environs is what is causing resistance to the truth. If oil is discovered in commercial quantity in the North, the Federal system will work. Anonymous I agree with you. Most of our leaders make bad decisions deliberately. Then blame it on pressures. They should not be leaders if they can’t make the best of pressures. Anonymous Rubbìsh excuse for opportunìsm and cowardice. If a man who at the risk of being shot stole power to better his and the lots of his cohorts, could not stake his life to defend a righteous cause then he deserves no place in history. Anonymous Your analogy of force and unforced errors in sports activities and political issues or decisions can hold because of their different time lag to reply stokes or punches or treat as in polities. All actions in political issues are unforced and so its errors also. Ebede The issue of unforced error is not even worth mentioning, the political quagmare in Nigeria is as a result of delibrate error stemming from poverty of social interaction and cowardice. Anonymous What do you call the errror comitted by Nigerians to allow OBJ and Mark emerge as the benificiaries of the democracy they worked so hard to stiffle? Obviously ‘unforced’ and we are all getting the result in terms of bad government. Nigeria situation can make the healthiest man on earth sick. Oye Ayeni Dear Tunji, professional tennis players know the meaning of “UNFORCED ERROR” The meaning is simple and straight forward. It means “STUPID MISTAKE”. It is a mild way of saying that the player is stupid. Hon Lanre Adeyemi (MHR) Dear Dare, your write-up is master piece of metaphor which mark my day. The annuallment of June 12 election by military cabal either through forced or unforced error in which the hero of our democratic strungle late M.K.O. Abiola died in detention is ungodly. Unless Chief M.K.O. Abiola is postumosly installed as president of our beloved country, history will not absorve Babangida and Senator David Mark. Tope Omobulejo, Ifaki Ekiti.

Thanks for your tennis lesson. Dr. Mann

•Obasanjo

Tolofari, Pharcourt.

Sir, thanks for your insightful write-up today, titled ‘Matters lexical: Unforced errors’. The difference between ‘forced’ and ‘unforced errors’ is now clearer. ‘The annulment of June 12 election which Babangida now professes to regret was done with the courage of men, but with the blind policy of a child. So great was his passion for wrong doing that the very doing of wrong was a joy to him for its own sake. What many ‘leaders’ lack is the magnificence of mind and it is not among our best prized virtues today, in the country. Magnificence in a leader means one who will live on his own carefully considered terms, (for the benefit of majority), not on those imposed by others. Babangida’s ‘ regret’ is dubious. Adegoke O. O., Ibadan.

For Gbenga Omotoso Indeed “There is no greater force than inordinate ambition”. We have seen it in the Nigerian polity year to year, yet the lesson is not learnt. Babangida, Abacha, Obasanjo and many of the same ilk have come and gone. What with Jonathan? We keep our fingers, legs and necks crossed.

From Heropride of TWZ, Enugu.

State police no sir,. Fed police is one big problem, to add 36 more problems, will be too much for we the masses to shoulder.

Some state governors will use them to settle political scores. Capt(NN) AI Olisadebe (rtd).

Better are the blows of a friend than the false kisses of Boko Haram. It is an incontestable fact that to get to the unknown you must access it through the known. I. E. T., Abuja.

Why on earth are we still uncertain of what the president or a legislator “chops” monthly? So with the FOI Law the media is still exhibiting helplessness in acquisition of information for stakeholders. Or have you people been compromised a la Nigeria as usual? T. C. I. Onuoha, Owerri Hi Gbenga, I am impressed with your comment on the back page of The Nation Newpaper. I am a police officer which if you ask me I can still answer the why because the security right at the headquater gate. Secondly, they should interview IG excort commander what happened with the unmarked vechile that was following them? Thirdly, did the car follow them from the IG residence or he joined them along the road? Anonymous Dear Gbenga, the parable of the rabbit is good but at the same time could be an understatement. Have you forgotten that thesame crime fighting agencies entered Monrovia in 1991 without any assistance from FBI or prior GS mapping of the city and stopped the internicine carnage within one week! Ask IBB and his boys how he did it in Moronvia. Our agencies have the best brains. Your article has mainly thrown in the challenges at them!

From ‘Tunji Falana, Ise-Ekiti More of your write-up would do more good than harm to the government. If they should answer your questions and keep to your advise. Hon. Kataiko, Plateau.

NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

Protests threaten Nigeria drawn with Russia, Tahiti hockey events

Pg. 41

Pg. 24

Nation Wednesday, July 6, 2011

PAGE 23

FREE COPY

Everton denies rift with Yobo

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VERTON Football Club of England has denied reports that Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo has refused to return for preseason training.

Yobo is close to a move to Turkish club Fenerbache and it was claimed that he had refused to return for pre-season which began Tuesday at the Finch Farm in order to push that deal through, there were also reports that he was banned from the training ground, but the club has insisted that he is not due back until next week.Yobo, along with other players involved in end-of-season internationals like Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Johnny Heitinga and Seamus Coleman are not expected back at

Goodison Park for another week.

Everton are confident that a deal, worth around £3.2m, will have been reached with the Turkish club by then.

Everton’s returning players underwent fitness tests at Liverpool University yesterday then fly out this evening for a four-day training camp in Austria.

However, players involved in end-of-season internationals like Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Johnny Heitinga and Seamus Coleman are not expected back for another week, while Tim Howard, whose involvement in the Gold Cup has only just ended, will not rejoin the squad until the US tour later this month.

•Yobo

NFF slams life ban on five players Pg. 24

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT GHN/ NIG AAG QUALIFIER

NFF slams life ban on five players

NFF tasks Dream Team V

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has assured that it would do all within its powers to see that the Dream Team V are adequately motivated for the all important All Africa games qualifier against the Black Meteors of Ghana, this weekend in Kumasi.

Deputy General Secretary (Technical) Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme gave the assurance while addressing Officials and Players of the National U-23 side.

“The Federation is proud of this team. We are happy with the progress you have made thus far in the qualifying series of the All Africa and Olympic games. And the Truth of the matter is that the Federation is determined to making sure that you guys are comfortable ahead of this

PHOTO: Bola Omilabu

• Team Akwa Ibom player in action.

NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

African Swimming Federation hails Amaechi

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HIEF Olatokunbo Thomas, the vice president of African Swimming Federation and board Member World Swimming Federation has hailed the governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibike Amaechi for having put in place world class infrastructure on ground for the ongoing National Sports Festival events, Garden City Games 2011.

Speaking with NationSport at the swimming venue at Adokiamsiemeka stadium, Thomas disclosed that the swimming facility on ground is the best he has ever seen.

According to him, it is very difficult to see a swimming pool that is 50meter side by side, noting that it is very unique.

He further disclosed that the Nigeria Swimming Federation has appealed to the government of Rivers state to host the forth coming World Junior swimming Competition billed for November this year.

Thomas also stated that hosting the junior championship in Rivers state would as well showcase other facilities on ground to other international bodies.

“What I saw here today is very wonderful, the governor of Rivers Chibike Amechi has proved his capability to us, it is very difficult to see a swimming pool that is 50meters by 50meters in the world. “ “Ordinarily what we see in other countries is just 25meters for training and 50 meters for competition but here it is different and the best in World,” He affirmed.

Meanwhile, three governors in the South South Zone yesterday were on hand to honour swimming athletes who won in the 200m breaststroke women, 50m breaststroke Men and 50m butterfly women with their medals.

From Florence Israel and Akeem Lawal in Port Harcourt.

Rivers State will in November this year host the World Junior Swimming Championship in Port Harcourt, board Member of World Swimming Federation (FINA) and vice president African Swimming Federation Chief Olatokunbo Thomas has said.

The world body he said, is impressed with the state of the swimming facilities at Adokie Amasiemeka Stadium and has given Nigeria the nod to host the forth coming Championship.

The Federation Chief explained that he will present the state of the swimming pool to the international body in their meeting scheduled to hold in China and Canada.

The vice President who jetted out of the country yesterday further said that there is no place in the world that the facility cannot hold its own just as he commended Rivers State government.

He said the championship aside assisting in exposing athletes to top class championship will also enable the nation to showcase the facility which he described as a world class pool.

crucial game against Ghana this weekend” he said.

“Please don’t let it get into your heads that you won the first leg 3-1, therefore it’s all over. Remember that this is the only chance left for the Ghanaians. They have lost out in the Olympic Games, so they would pull every antics possible to ensure they get just two unreplied goals.

Therefore I want to charge you guys to shun any form of complacency, because I know this team has what it takes defeat Ghana even in their own backyard” Ikpeme boasted.

While confirming that the Team will be heading for Kumasi on Friday, Dr Ikpeme urged the team to visualize the worse case scenario the Ghanaians would put them through and begin to prepare themselves mentally.” We head for Kumasi on Friday and of course you know what is obtainable in Africa football, the Frustration that comes with playing away matches, you were in Liberia, Tanzania, Equitorial Guinea you saw their antics, now you are heading to Ghana, I want you guys to imagine the worse case scenario they would present and begin to prepare yourselves mentally towards it” Nigeria takes a 3-1 first leg advantage to Kumasi in a winner takes all encounter for the 10th All Africa games in Maputo next September.

Ghana denied Nigeria’s male team an appearance in the 2007 All Africa games.

The Ghana Nigeria All Africa games qualifier kicks off by 4pm Nigeria Time at the Baba Yara Sports Complex, Kumasi.

Protests threaten hockey events

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HE rivalry between host Rivers state and defending Champions Delta State was taken to the hockey event yesterday, forcing the game to be suspended just as the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) waded in to mediate in the issue.

NationSport gathered that the Delta State female hockey team had earlier won the protest against them by team Rivers Female hockey team as the Technical committee of the Hockey event threw out the host claim of the ineligibility of two of Delta’s goalkeeper, and jersey No.

From Florence Israel and Akeem Lawal in Port Harcourt.

10 for Delta NOREDIA Uwaegbo.

Rivers Hockey had claimed in their protest that the said players had during the zonal elimination played for Edo state which disqualified them from representing Delta State.

This decision did not go down well with Rivers that took up the matter to the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) for better clarification leading to the postponement of the remaining matches of hockey games and events.

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HE Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday handed a life ban on five players and officials of Dynamos FC of Osogbo, and were detained for over eight hours by security agents in Abuja for inflicting body injuries, and even damaging the private organ of one of the Assistant Referees and the right eye of the female centre referee , in one

From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah of the Amateur League matches played against the Ilaro FC at the Osun State College of Education playing pitch. The pitch was also banned from hosting football matches for the next two years and the maximum points in the match was awarded to the away team. Osun state Football Association headed by

former NFF Technical Committee Chairman Taiwo Ogunjobi was given a strict warning to have total control of their teams while playing home matches.

Those affected are Ismaila Orijagun (Coach), Adebowale Yemi (Captain), Saidi Anifowoshe, Kehinde Bakare, Ikechukwu Ibe, Ayobami Osunbami, Femi John, Ganiyu Okelaye (Goalkeeper). The club is to pay the

sum of three hundred and thirty thousand ,nine hundred and seventy naira (N330,970.00) being the cost of lost item. The money is to be paid on or before their next home match. The team admitted at the disciplinary committee that the incident actually happened, and they were banished to Ilaro for the rest of the season.

The Committee also reversed the interim decisions of the Nigeria

Premier League banishing Ocean Boys FC of Yenegoa to Abuja for the rest of the season. This follows the careful study of the match commissioner’s report. However, Ocean Boys will now have to play its home match under locks at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenegoa.

A female referee from Adamawa State Adisa Musa who handled the match between Rising Stars of Akure and Bayelsa United in Akure was considered unfit for the game, and was banned from handling any football match for one year. She was found to have awarded a questionable penalty kick to the home team without any contact five minutes to regulation time. The Referees Appointment Committee was advised to adhere strictly to this.

An amateur league match between Dynamites and Polarin FC which was played by 10.00a.m instead of the stipulated time was declared as no match, and would be replayed on July 18.

In the premier League match between Ocean Boys and Gombe United, where Gombe United protested against the use of a player with two yellow cards who was supposed to miss the match but was played by the home team, was upheld. But the maximum points been requested was not awarded to Gombe United because there is no provision in the NPL rules and regulations for the 2010/2011 League season that such a point should be awarded, instead, what was stated was that the affected team should be fined.

The NPL was directed to fine Ocean Boys appropriately. The complaint of Enyimba International of Aba over the treatment that was meted out to them in their match against Ocean Boys in Yenegoa was thrown out, as there was nowhere in the match commissioner’s or referees report that such was mentioned. The complaint was thrown out, as they did not contest the result of the match.

Inneh Queens Benin protest against Pelican stars of Calabar on the use of one player Oluchi was upheld, as the player was not properly cleared from Confluence Queens of Lokoja and the maximum points in that match was awarded to Inneh Queens of Benin. It was discovered that only understanding was reached between Pelican stars and Confluence Queens, as no documentation was done. The match between the Bussdor FC of Owerri and Akwa Starlets was declared as no match as the Imo State FA deliberately used three home referees instead of getting a referee from the neighboring state. The match was rescheduled for July 13 at Ado Ekiti.

WALK RACE

Rivers, Edo athletes set new festival records

• Akwa-Ibom and Ondo Volleyball players in action at the ongoing 17th National Sports Festival in River State.

PHOTO: Bola Omilabu

New African weightlifting record holder gets NSC scholarship

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HE National Sports Commission (NSC) has awarded scholarship to 18year-old Chinenye Fidelis who broke the African and national records in weightlifting in the 53kg category, at the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt last week.

The Technical Director, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), retired Navy Capt. Babatunde Adedimeji, made the disclosure in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

The agency reports that Fidelis lifted a total of 205kg to set the new records, breaking the 2009 record of 175kg set

by Patience Lawal of Kwara. ``As a result of Chinenye’s outstanding performance, Patrick Ekeji, the Director General, NSC,

decided to give her an automatic scholarship for her education,” he said.

Adedimeji said that the African and national record holder, who is currently in SS 2, would be sponsored through the rest of her education. He also disclosed that a sum of N50,000 was presented to Fidelis’ coach.

Adedimeji, who is also an official of African Weightlifting Federation (WFA), said the Akwa Ibom-born weightlifter was now rated as an elite athlete.

He said that the new African record set by the athlete would be considered by the federation and ratified by the WFA. According to him, the federation will continue to strive to ensure that more talents are discovered.

Scrabble Fed. begins selection for world tourney

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EN players from the Masters category have been selected by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) to prepare for the World Scrabble Championship later this month, according to an official.

NSF secretary James Eaykns told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that the federation’s board would meet soon to decide on the actual number of players to represent the country at the tournament.

Eaykns said the players included Oteheri Onota, Bobor Edewor and Peter Moses ranked one, two and three respectively.

He said 15 other players were selected from the Open category and would be further trained for future competitions.

The secretary said that James Ewruje, Spaco Nwosuocha and Jerry Igwe were

ranked number one, two and three respectively in the Open category.

He said that 150 players took part in the competition in Ibadan from which the players were selected, adding that it was at that event that the federation rewarded winners with cash for the first time. ``We are happy that the players were given some prizes not minding how little they seem; at least it will make them know that we appreciate their efforts,’’ he said.

Winners in the Masters category were given cash prizes of N150,000, N100,000 and N50,000 for the first, second and third positions respectively.

While in the Open category, the first, second and third ranked players received N75,000, N40,000 and N20,000 respectively.

From Akeem Lawal and Florence Ikem, Port Harcourt WO new festival records were yesterday set in the 20 kilometre Walk Race for men and women final at the on-going National Sports Festival, tagged Garden City Games.

Rivers States Lawal Oluwaseyi set a new record of 1hr 45mins in the men’s category to smatch the old record of 1hr. 48mins set by Lagos State Oluwole Ogunmujo at the ‘91 edition held in Bauchi.

Hussein Yinusa from Ogun State finished second with a time of 1hr 56min secs to claim second position while Eghosa Akibor arrived at a time of 1hr 57mins to grab third position.

In the women category, Idahosa Florence of Edo State also set a new festival record of 1hr. 58 mins to quash the time of 1hr. 59 mins set at the KADA Games in 2009 by Queensly Asedo.

Winning silver for her State is Henshaw Queen of Rivers State with a time of 2hrs. 40mins, while Joy Davis of Delta State finished at time of 2 hrs. 2 mins to grab bronze medal.

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MTN/STREET SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

Team tours Gambia T

HE Third place team in the Lagos/MTN Street Soccer Champion tagged the Legacy Edition Koilo Street 2,Lagos Island West has embarked on a playing tour of Gambia .

The team led by the Director of Finance and Administration,Ministry of Youth,Sports and Social Development,office of Sports,Mr Bashir Braimah arrived Banjul,Gambia capital Sunday evening aboard Arik Airline..

The team as part of its activities while in Gambia include playing some international friendlies and top class matches with local clubs playing in the amateur league before the team return to Nigeria on Sunday10th

July,2011.

The matches is been handled by the Gambia Football Federation technical department following its discussion with the Lagos State Consultant on Sport, Mr Rogers Appleby . and Braimah' According to the programme of activities,the team will visit the Wild life park,and tour of the city as well as tourism attraction centres in the city.

However,the team Koilo Street 2 had a feild of the day Monday when it took on G Tech Football Academy in a friendly match at the Senegambia football pitch and it recorded a 4 -1 victory over the Gambia based side.

FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

Nigeria drawn with Russia, Tahiti N IGERIA has been drawn alongside Russia and Tahiti in its group for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup slated for September 1-11, 2011 in Italy.

The official draw for the tournament took place in the city of Rome on Tuesday. Hosts Italy will play Iran on the opening day of the competition, just as Senegal and Switzerland were pegged in the same group as Italy. Japan, Mexico and Ukraine are expected to slug it out in the same group while El Salvador, Oman and Portugal were placed in the last group.

Nigeria reached this year’s Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup after a hardfought 7-6 defeat of Madagascar in Casablanca last month.

The draw ceremony was held in the presence of Giancarlo Abete, President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Carlo Tavecchio, Vice-President of FIGC

By Stella Bamawo

and President of the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND).

The draw itself was conducted by Joan Cuscó, member of the FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, and Jaime Yarza, Senior Manager of Futsal and Beach Soccer Competitions at FIFA. Christian Karembeu, a 1998 FIFA World Cup™ winner, and Ramiro Amarelle, MVP at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 in France, were also in attendance to act as draw assistants to determine the groups of the tournament, which can be seen below.

The winners and runners-up in each group will qualify for the knockout stages, with all games played on the beautiful beach of Ravenna.

Oshiomhole redeems N15m pledge

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DO state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Tuesday redeemed the 15 million naira pledge made to the National U-23 team, Otherwise called the Dream Team V following their 3-1 win over Ghana in the first leg second round All Africa games qualifier. “ It is my pleasure to hand over to you the promise I made to you a fortnight ago inside your locker room after you came from a goal down to beat Ghana at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium. Like I said that day, it’s our little way as Edo people of saying thank you for bring smiles to the faces of our people with your continuous victory on this soil.”

“I urge you to also see this as a motivation to go and conquer in Ghana this weekend. We will always pray for you and give you our support when needed” assured the governor who spoke through the State Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu.

Responding National U-23 coach, Austin Eguavoen, thanked the Governor for the gesture and support given to his team since the beginning of its qualifying campaign in March, 2011.

“Your Excellency, words are not enough to thank you and the people of Edo state for this gesture, support and hospitality shown to this team. I want to say here that we would continue to do our best to ensure that we keep the country’s flag flying”.

Once more Your Excellency, on behalf of the team officials and players I say a big thank you”.

The Dream Team V camp has officially closed in Benin and resumes in Lagos on Tuesday.

Meanwhile spokesperson of the Team, Arafat Aliu has confirmed the arrival of Lillestrom of Norway midfielder, Nosa Igiebor.

• As Igiebor arrives for Ghana Igiebor arrived the Dream Team Camp in Lagos on Tuesday morning.

Ganiyu Oseni and Chukwuma Akabueze are expected to arrive today while the coming of Rabiu Ibrahim remains doubtful.

Algeria shows interest in hosting 2013 African Nations Cup

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LGERIA has shown interest in hosting the 2013 African Cup of Nations should Caf shift the competition venue from politically unstable Libya.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is facing rebellion from opposition factions that has brought instability to the northern African country. Pressure is mounting on the continental football governing body to change the location for security reasons.

“It might help in our bid to qualify for the next World Cup finals,” Federation spokesman Abdelkader Berdja told local reporters, according to Reuters.

Caf meets in September this year to review their decision on Libya. It is, however, not clear whether the regulatory body will opt for the Rainbow nation since they already have the right to host the 2017 edition.

The political crisis in Libya has brought football activities to a halt since February.

Gabon and Equatorial Guinea host the next Nations Cup in 2012, after which they move from every even year to every odd, starting 12 months later in Libya.

ANGST

ISSUE

A new feather in Asiwaju’s cap

Tenants lament rent increment

Govt lacks commitment to children

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HONOUR

Accra

26

Kaduna

28

Abuja

38

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

WEDNESDAY JULY 6, 2011

Page 25

Small-scale farmers boosted in Plateau From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

Mr. Ukaoha

Continued on Page 26

NGOs inspire communitydevelopment

Katsina village residents in talks with office holders Roads, maternity, boreholes, electricity provided

Programme Director, Jacob addressing the participants From Isah Idris, Katsina

Continued on Page 26

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

26

A new feather in Asiwaju’s cap

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S he stepped forward to receive the prestigious award, all the dignitaries, including statesmen, top government functionaries, captains of industry, traditional rulers, scholars and diplomats, rose to accord him in honour.

Ahmed Bola Tinubu, described by Ghanaian politicians and journalists as ‘the big man from Nigeria’, exuded charisma and radiated the joy of accomplishment. Full of princely tenderness, he walked briskly, exchanged banters with the organisers and bowed to the audience.

“He is a Nigerian political colossus, who has brought a new style of leadership as governor of Lagos State and continued to mentor and built a new breed of leaders committed to serving their communities, state and country”, intoned the Ghanaian Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, who introduced him in his welcome remarks.

Yoruba traditional drummers, who had ushered Tinubu and his entourage into the main auditorium of Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, the venue of the maiden African Servant Leadership Awards (ASLA), chanted his cognomen with the talking drum, to the delight of the mixed assembly of esteemed Ghanaians and Nigerians.

Shortly before the award was presented, a short documentary on the political life of the recipient was aired.

Tinubu had described himself in it as a financial surgeon, who brought his private sector experience in multi-national companies to bear on public governance.

His citation, read by the master of ceremony, gave Ghanaians a peek into his intimidating profile. It was more captivating to the students of the Ghana Graduate School of Governance and Leadership, who were also graduating at the ceremony. When Tinubu’s achievements in office-free education,

By Emmanuel Oladesu

free medical services, free eye glasses, free malarial treatment, free heart surgery, transformation of transportation, LASTMA, LAMATA and BRT, judicial reforms, free legal services, aggressive internally generated revenue-were listed, they elicited a wild applause from the students and other guests.

The insignia of the ‘Political Leadership’ award were a beautiful plague made of shining wood and glass, and a certificate of merit. As Vice President Mahama presented the plague to the Asiwaju of Lagos and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, words of appreciation and courage oozed out from his mouth.

“I present this award to you in recognition of your achievements and roles as a servant leader. I wish you many more years of achievements and services to the people”, he said, urging other leaders in the continent to emulate him.

Simultaneously, Asiwaju’s associates and followers burst into singing the familiar loyalty anthem: ‘On your mandate we shall stand’ in his honour. Ghanaian politicians, Deputy Transport Minister, Hon. Dzifa Ati Akufuoi, who chaired the ceremony, Minister of Education, Hon. Betty Mould Iddirrusu, Deputy AttorneyGeneral Hon. Ayiete Otu, GSGL Governor General Gideopn Titi-Ofei and other board members; looked on in awe.

Asiwaju Tinubu’s award was the pinnacle of the events. He was in a happy mood with fellow recipients from Ghana. They included Nana Oyelita (Legal Leadership), Gifty Champong (Entrepreneurial Leadership), Asokoh Koueh (Security Leadership), Angela Anguuadi (Women Empowerment Leadership), Osaiyeghfo Ajamangbedu), Bishop Tom Asari (Youth Empowerment

For him, it was a day of joy. But the import of the honour was not lost on the political megastar, mobiliser, humanist, reformer, pro-democracy crusader and philanthropist Leadership) and Archbishop Duncean Williams (African Mentors Leadership).

Waving his right hand to the excited audience in response to the mounting goodwill and customary gesture, the former governor clinched to his chest the plaque with his left hand. In that moment of excitement, eyes were on the leading opposition voice in Nigeria.

For him, it was a day of joy. But the import of the honour was not lost on the political megastar, mobiliser, humanist, reformer, pro-democracy crusader and philanthropist. Instructively, he perceived the new feather to his cap as a call to more responsibility. “That you, my brothers and sisters, have given me this award does not mean I have finished with my contribution. It means the opposite. I have much more to do on behalf of this continent and people whom I love and this award will encourage me forever”, he said, thanking the organis-

•Asiwaju Tinubu lifts the plaque ers for the privilege.

Asiwaju’s trip to Ghana, the land of gold and oil, closed a gap in history.

The visit, which, according to Ghanaian President Evan Atta-Mills, and his deputy, Mahama, has further cemented the existing cordial relations between the two promising African countries, was reminiscent of the historic visit of the indomitable Chief Obafemi Awolowo to Ghana with a

retinue of aides and associates for the Kwame Nkrumah Lecture Series.

Tinubu was accompanied by who is who in the Southwest progressive bloc and like minds from other five geopolitical zones. Sharing the joy of the occasion with him were Governor Kayode Fayemi, who was personally recognised by Rev. Ofei, who recalled •Continued on Page 27

NGOs inspire community development •Continued from Page 25 The village head of Matsai, Denteli Matsai commended the NGOs for their timely intervention which has resulted in the community dialogue, which is now hoped to transform the communities.

The country Director of Friedrick Ebert Stiftung, Mrs Juliana Awosika said the role of the NGO is to create a platform for dialogue between communities and their political leaders to understand their plight and fulfill electoral promises by executing development projects in the area.

She therefore advised the community leaders both in Burkumi and Maisai to constitute a committee to ensure the implementation of the resolutions taken at the dialogue.

Also, the state Programme Director of CIP, Mr. Aaron Jacob said the collaborating NGOs sensitise the communities and bring them together with their elected leaders.

“By our sensitisation, we empower the communities to ask their leaders questions and to demand for development facilities like roads, health care, schools and whatever they lack after voting them to power”.

“However, we encourage the community members to stop disturbing elected officers, by individually demanding for money for personal needs like marrying new wives, naming ceremonies, burial, instead of development projects for the community”.

Jacob enjoined the communities to follow up on the projects and evaluate their execution.

On the funding of the NGOs’ operation in the state, he said: “We go to international donors including UNDP, UNICEF, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung on what we do and the need to educate and create awareness among the people of the communities to live a better life and they support us”.

Recently in Samiyar Jino village, Garagi ward in Kankara Local Government Area, Friedrick Ebert, PADEAP, TMG, and WOPIN also or-

•A cross section of participants

Inequality is actually dominant in Africa and (it is putting) pressure on international communities. Inequality causes poverty, injustice, conflicts and major wars globally especially in Africa and they need to be addressed ganised a community dialogue where the villagers lamented an absence of a road linking Samiyar Jino with Kankara.

The single largest village in the council area lacks roads, drinking water, electricity and access to fertilizer, among others.

The former council chairman, Alhaji Mamma Sani Maijama promised to address their transportation challenge.

Maijama said, “It is regrettable that a pregnant woman had miscarriage on her way to

Kankara General Hospital. I assured you the situation of your road will be rectified as work is about to commence on the road”.

At Samiyar Jino, Mrs Juliana Awosika of Friedrick Ebert called for cooperation between leaders and the people in order to facilitate rural transportation. He also assured that her organization will remain committed to the development of the area.

State Director of Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Mr. Aaron Jacob and Hajiya

Halima Dangiwa of Women for Peace in Nigeria (WOPIN) also called for periodic town hall meetings to articulate the needs of the people to their leaders for appropriate implementation.

Country Director of PADEAP, Dr. Tominke Olaniyan whose NGO is leading an awareness campaign on the actualisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Katsina and other Northwest, said poverty, gender inequality and infant mortality are highest in the zone.

He said: “Inequality is actually dominant in Africa and (it is putting) pressure on international communities. Inequality causes poverty, injustice, conflicts and major wars globally especially in Africa and they need to be addressed”.

Similar sessions have been organised in several remote villages where roads, drinking water, health facilities, schools, rural electricity and other amenities have been provided after the dialogue.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

•Continued from Page 27 that he was in Nigeria when his stolen mandate was restored; his Ogun and Oyo states counterparts; Senators Ibikunle Amosun and Abiola Ajimobi; long standing friend, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Senator Gbenga Obadara, Third Republic House of Representatives Chief Whip Olawale Oshun, former Lagos State Finance Commissioner Hon. Wale Edun, Erelu of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji, Senator Lawan Shuaib, ACN National Secretary Boss Mustapha, National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Layiwola Mohammed, National Legal Adviser dr Muiz Banire, Taraba State ACN governorship candidate Senator Joel Ikenya, Lagos State ACN Chairman Otunba Dele Ajomale, his deputy, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Secretary Primate Charles Odugbesi, Publicity Secretary Comrade Joe Igbokwe, and his deputy, Chief Funso Ologunde.

Other associates at the ceremony were Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Mr Dele Alake, Yeyesewa of Lagos Chief Kemi Nelson, Alhaji Kola Oseni, Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus, Chief Afolabi Salami, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, Hon. Jibayo Adeyeye, Hon. Tunji Bello, Alhaji Moshood Tijani, Hon. Franciscan Abosede, Lekan Ifemade, Abdulateef Abdulakeem, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, Mr Ayilara, Idowu Obasa, Taofeek Adaranijo, Dieko abanikanda, Modupe Oseghale, Prof.

Siyan Oyeweso, Mrs Yinka Babalola, Richard Olabinjo, Afeez Ipesa Balogun, Amida Abudu, Bayo Ajisebutu, Dr Sodiq, Hon. Jide Jimoh, Sola Lawal, Kabiru Turaki, Omotilewa Sijuade, Hassan Adefarasin, Mutiu Bello, Chief Karim Daramola, Hon. Toun Adediran, Kehinde Bamigbetan, Mrs Folake Sokunbu Kalokalo, Mr Ayo Afolabi, Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole, Moses Dosu, Dr Joseph Ajatta, Baba Omojola, Toyin Hamzat, Mutiu Aare, Gbolahan Bagostowe, Ibukun Fakeye, Mr Victor Ifijeh, Mr Kunle Fagbemi, Mr kunle Abimbola and Mr Idowu Ajanaku.

From Sunday night, when his plane touched down at the Ghana International Airport, to the memorable Tuesday night when, there was no dull moment for the visiting Nigerians.

Tinubu was thrilled to a warm reception at the airport by the ACN family in the country led by Akeem Atitebi.

The party members, who were dressed in ACN t-shirts and fez caps, waved brooms at the Leader, who alighted from the plane at 11 pm.

Atitebi said that the party members were delighted at the honour to be bestowed on Tinubu, saying that it is a worthy recognition.

He said: “The ACN members here are in touch with home. We want ACN to be in power in Nigeria. In Ghana, we enjoy two things-power and security. We want Nigeria to have that experience and we believe that, if ACN forms the government at the centre, life will be better”.

On the award, Atitebi said: “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu deserves more. He is a brave and courageous leader. He has served his people well.”

A big banner, on which was inscribed a message of felicitation and solidarity, welcomed the entourage to

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A new feather in Asiwaju’s cap

•The participants at the event the star hotel in Accra. On the hotel’s premises, he was excited at the ACN flag hoisted on a long pole at the main entrance. Turning to Chief Akinyelure, Tinubu pointed at the flag, saying: ‘Ah, we are also here’.

Highlights of the four day visit included a courtesy call on President Attah Mills and granting of requests for participation in media personality programmes. President Atta-Mills and Tinubu, who shared the same passion for Africa’s development, robbed minds on how to move the continent forward.

The former governor offered suggestions as a non-state actor, which the President acknowledged. Tinubu, using Ghana as an example of transformational leadership, stressed that the baseline for progress was the sustenance of popular rule through the sanctity of the ballot box, and devotion to rule of law, transparency and good governance.

Nodding affirmatively, President Atta-Mills, who was impressed by the fact that Nigeria was on the way to democratic stability, stressed that the two countries should always compare developmental notes for the purpose of improvement.

The Ghanaian leader, who congratulated Tinubu for the award on the eve of the ceremony, emphasised the imperative of good leadership. He said: ‘Our people who elected us expect an improved standard of living. This agitated their minds during the campaigns. We have confronted these challenges. We have made progress and we will continue go along this route of transparency, good governance and democracy”.

His frank remarks underscored the symbolism, character and substance of the African Servant Leadershp Award (ASLA) conferred on the ‘Jagaban Borgu’, a man who had served his so-

ciety meritoriously.

Akufuoi, who declared the ceremony open, shared the same feeling. “If there is any day I will cherish in my life, it is today”, she said, hailing the partnership between the church, represented by the organisers, and state, which manifested at the ceremony.

She described Tinubu as a democrat with faith, who has demonstrated how a state should be governed in Lagos, the largest state in West Africa, urging the graduates of the Ghana School of Leadership and Governance to emulate his leadership qualities.

The deputy minister said that hope was not lost in Africa, stressing that this generation has continued to throw up competent leaders, like Atta-Mills, Mahama, who she also described as a role model and high achieving administrator, Tinubu, and others, on whose shoulders rests the arduous task of transforming Africa’s human resources into world class leadership.

“Nkrumah said Africa could run its affairs. That statement was made more than 50 years ago. but it is still valid”, added Akufuoi.

Echoing her, Rev. Ofei said ASLA was designed to encourage such leadership virtue. “We asked a team of researchers to vet the people nominated for the awards. At the first year, we would look at West Africa and later East Africa. In five years, we will look at the whole of Africa”, he told the gathering.

The Governor-General noted that Tinubu and other awardees deserved recognition because in the course of their services to individuals, communities, states, and nations, they have made lasting impressions by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, empowering women, mentoring youth and transforming lives.

Besides, he said that the award was

meant to draw the attention of leaders in the continent to arouse in emerging African leaders the ideas of servant leadership, which include honesty, integrity, fairness, accountability, reliability, excellence, citizenship, empathy, awareness, stewardship and spirituality.

If leaders African leaders acquire these attributes, Rev. Ofei said that they would be equipped to confront frontally the challenges of wars, poverty, fallen quality of education, carnage on roads, corruption, poor infrastructure, poor health care, poor sanitation management, and infant and maternal mortality.

Vice President Mahama supported his view. To him, ASLA, apart from being a novelty, is a credible recognition. “The award is an award of integrity”, he emphasised, hailing Tinubu for laying a sound foundation for political, social and economic development of Lagos; a fact, which, he said made him a recipient of merit.

The young Ghanaian politician alluded to the advantage of democracy enjoyed by the continent, noting that Africa has started producing leaders truly elected by people. But to be servant leaders, he said they must mirror the leadership qualities of Jesus Christ, including vision, humility, honesty, truthfulness, trust, compassion, people-centeredness and commitment to the transformation of society.

Mahama contented that leadership is only meaningful and productive in Africa, if it can guarantee good education, health, infrastructure, and increased food production. In addition, he said African leaders must shun corruption, promote the rule of law and nurture democracy for the continent to move forward.

Since African countries share similar cultural values, customs and history, he enjoined their leaders to “learn

Plateau youths unite through sports

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OUTHS drawn from different tribes and religious backgrounds in crisis-prone local governments in Plateau State, as well as members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have taken part in a two-week football tournament meant to foster unity in the areas. The teams were named after present and past governors of the state.

Organisers of the tournament, the Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR), a non-governmental organisation based in Jos in collaboration with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) said the event was meant to promote peace, unity and friendship among the youths in the

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

state.

According to the President of IGSR, Prof. Isawa Elaigwu, “Sports generally have been identified as one of the veritable platforms for promoting peace and unity among youths. The tournament helped in promoting values of sportsmanship among participants, explored the potentials of the youths for positive development in the state as well as kept the youths busy to prevent them from being used in violence”.

The participants were out-ofschool youths from Jos North, Jos South, Jos East and Bassa local government areas of the state. The tournament took place in Jos. The event which started on June 16

came to a close at the end of the month, with Dan Suleiman team emerging winner after defeating the Fidelis Tapgun side 3 -1 on penalties.

The Musa Shehu team came third after defeating their Mohammed Mana counterpart by the same margin and also on penalties.

The three teams went home with trophies and certificates. Every participant also got something for their effort.

Some of the participants expressed their joy at the end of the event, saying government and private groups should engage in such ventures.

They said the tournament gave them the opportunity to see their neigh-

bours not as enemies but people with potentials that can benefit the society if properly harnessed.

IGSR has been engaging youths in the state in workshops, seminars, skill acquisition, sports, a m o n g other activities, with the aim of ending the cycle of violence in the state.

to accept new ideas coming from other cultures by adopting and adapting them to suit our prevailing local conditions”.

The future of Africa lies on its youths. Mahama therefore challenged the youth in leadership positions to continue to inspire the younger ones with the spirit of patriotism for nation building. He urged the youths to harness the opportunities provided by ICT and globalisation.

He said: “While our forebears achieved what was bequeathed to us today through brawn, contemporary global solutions to the challenges of a better life are predicated on innovation and technological breakthroughs for which the youths are better equipped”.

Wishing Tinubu and others many more years of fruitful service to humanity, he urged them never to relent in their contributions to their environment.

It was a morale booster to the ACN leader. In his speech titled: “Lifting the spirit of Mother Africa”, Tinubu, spoke of his dream for Africa, a country that has nearly been submerged by poverty, squalour, want and disease.

He paid tribute to the memory of its modern pathfinders; Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, Samora Machel, Obafemi Awolowo and Mandela, adding: “If these sons of Africa can make such sacrifices, we must make our own. We must build a strong edifice based on the foundation which they made out of their bravery, hope and love for the people and the land”.

Tinubu warned against apathy, saying that Africa would face greater uncertainty, if its leaders and people fail to rise to take its destiny in their hands.

“Our economies are too dependent on distant nations for their lifeblood.

Even, to feed ourselves, we must look to outsiders. We trade more with faraway lands than with our close neighbours. Our governmental systems are imbalanced in ways that suppress economic creativity and political freedom. There are people in parts of the world who view us as inferior. some Africans even accept this malignant lie as truth”, he lamented.

But is hope lost for Africa? No is the answer from Tinubu. His counsel is that “we must become the architects of our own economies and not let others plan our structures for us. We have to be smart and stop mimicking those who led themselves into the ditch”.

Making a case for a sound industrial base on the continent, he pointed out that “no people have ever become great in modern times without establishing robust industrial base. You don’t attain long-term prosperity solely by taking resources out of the ground and selling them for another person’s finished goods”.

Tinubu charged Africa to invest in the youths. He quickly added that such youths should be nurtured on the codes of transparency, rule of law, supremacy of the ballot box and good governance.

He said the democratic experiences in Ghana and Nigeria, which are encouraging, must be sustained.

His words: “I am glad that our two countries; Nigeria and Ghana, are among those African countries marching steadily towards the consolidation of democratic governance and supremacy of the rule of law. This is the only way to create stable and prosperous societies that can guarantee the greatest happiness of the greatest number of our people”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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Tenants bemoan high rent in Kaduna

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• Governor Yakowa

ENANT S in Kaduna are complaining of a wave of rent hikes in the metropolis, it has been reported They also complain that landlords still demand high rents in spite of the fall in the prices of cement and other building materials.

Mr Chukwuma Egwu, a tenant, who spoke with reporters in Kaduna recently,said the rent had gone beyond the reach of an average person in the metropolis.

Egwu said the least rents for moderately decent accommodation ranged between

Kogi to partner Spain on economic development

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OGI State government is to collaborate with Spain on tourism and agriculture to enhance economic development in the state.

Governor Ibrahim Idris gave the indication when he received in audience the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Alvace Delcastiro, who paid him a courtesy call in Lokoja.

The governor told the Spaish envoy that the on-going Five Star Hotel Project in Lokoja when completed in the next four months, would boost the much needed tourism in the state.

He maintained that the state is blessed with abundant natural resources that could enhance the bilateral economic co-operation between the state and Spain.

Idris expressed the readiness of his

Kogi

Group canvasses transparency in governance T HE Patriots’ Forum,a new sociopolitical pressure group has vowed to make transparency and accountability from government the cornerstone of her advocacy.

At the inaugural ceremony held at De Renaisance Hotel, Alausa, Ikeja last week, the convener of the forum, Mr. Femi Adeoya, recalled how the forum started online using the social media platform to reach its about 800 members around the world.

According to Mr. Adeoya, “Prior to the establishment of the forum on facebook, the disillusionment felt by many Nigerians was clearly evidenced by the nature of the postings, discussions and engagements exchanged among friends. However, notwithstanding the sharp differences in opinion and perspectives held along religious, tribal, social, economic and political lines, one unique thread ran deep among facebook users and commentators.

“Nigerians both home and abroad are united by the passion to demand accountability from its leaders, and are determined to see that social ills are investigated, appropriate action taken against violators, and victims provided with effective remedies and reparation,” he stated.

Adeoya maintained that change cannot

Kebbi urges adoption of mechanised farming

Kaduna N200, 000 and N250,000 up from about N150,000 and N200,000.

Some estate agents, who confirmed the issue, however, attributed the increase to the high cost of living in the area.

Mr Adole Ochai, an estate agent, said some of his colleagues demanded outrageous fees, which included legal and consultancy fees as well as and 10 per cent commission.

Malam Isa Ado, a landlord, however attributed the increase not only to the cost of building materials but also to the “greed of some estate agents.

He said some landlords sometimes preferred dealing with tenants directly to remove some unnecessary charges by agents.

Malam Ali Bello of Craftsman Estate Developers, linked the hike in rent to cost of materials and tenants’ choice.

“The increase is severe in areas that enjoyed relative peace during sectarian crises in the past,” he said.

HE Kebbi State committee on agriculture has said that exposing farmers to facilities from agricultural research centres is panacea to improved agricultural production.

The chairman of the committee, Prof.

Mohammed Danyaro, said this when he led the committee members to present a special report on ways to improve the performance of the agricultural sector in the state to Governor Saidu Dakingari.

The committee made recommendations on the improvement of poultry, fishery, animal husbandry, livestock and milk

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Communities reject polio vaccime

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Magazine for launch

By Kunle Akinrinade

From Mohammed Bashir Lokoja

administration for joint partnership with Spain in economic ventures that would be of immense benefit to the two governments.

In his remarks, Ambassador Delcastiro, lauded the political relation between Nigeria and Spain , which according to him, would boost the partnership for the growth of both countries.

He said Spain had a lot of potential that could assist in the development of Kogi State and promised to co-operate with the government to achieve the goal.

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HERE will be an official presentation St Eve,a health and lifestyle magazine, tomorrow at Aura Night Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In a statement by the publisher, Miss Evelyn Okere, she said:”St.Eve magazine is a one stop-shop that combines health with fashion, beauty and a host of other interesting stories.

“Our life-size photographs, obtained via exclusive photo-shoots, put us in the same class with top international magazines but our health-orientation stands us out among contemporaries.”

• Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State(left) welcoming the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris to Government House during his visit

‘Sustain commitment to education’

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ISHOP Idowu Fearon of Kaduna Anglican Diocese has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sustain his commitment to the education sector.

Fearon gave the charge in Lokoja at a reception organised for the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the Federal University, Lokoja, Prof.

Abdulmumini Rafindadi and Mrs Habiba

By Adegunle Olugbamila

happen by mere expressions of resentment and antagonism against the system, but by taking concrete and decisive steps to walk the talk and engage the establishment appropriately.

Mrs. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, a human rights lawyer and the protem Secretary of the forum listed the objectives of the forum which among other things include: upholding and defending the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other laws in the federation; promoting the demands for visionary and responsible leadership for the kind of Nigeria founded on the principles of integrity, diligence and the rule of law.

The group missions, she added, also include acting as a pressure group with the purpose of promoting the ideals of fairness, social justice, equity, fair-play and the promotion of the development of every Nigerian whether or not such Nigerianis in the country or not, contributing to the socio-economic, political and infrastructural growth and development of his fatherland, and the promotion of the ideals of pan-Nigerian nationalism.

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (right) with the Chairman, Executive Group, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan at the Political Leadership Award ceremony of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana

BRIEFS

Maku challenges northern leaders on peace THE Minister of Information and Communications, Mr Labaran Maku, has appealed to traditional rulers and religious leaders in the North to work for lasting peace in the region.

A statement issued by Joseph Mutah, the minister’s Press Secretary, said Maku made the appeal in Abuja at a reception held in his honour after he was sworn in

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The minister, according to the statement, decried the ethno-religious crises in the region, saying they had retarded socio-

economic growth and development while escalating the poverty level. “ Without peace, investment in infrastructure and socio-economic activities would elude the north, which is already backward in various indices of development,’’ he said.

The minister urged the people to sink their ethnic and religious differences in order to unite and pursue a common cause of development and socio-economic advancement.

He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for re-appointing him and implored Nigerians to pray for the success of his administration.

Butchers kick against poor sanitary THE National Association of Butchers, condition Adamawa State branch, has expressed

• From left: Mr. Kelechi Deca – Anyanwu; Mrs. Victoria Ibezim Ohaeri; Mr. Femi Adeoya and Mr. Fasail Muazu, all Patriots’Forum protem exco members at the inaugural meeting of the forum

37

concern over the poor sanitary condition of the Yola Central Abattoir.

Alhaji Muhammadu Yola, the state chairman of the association,said that animal dung had not been evacuated from the abattoir in the last five years in spite of the revenue paid to government.

“For the past five years, animals are being slaughtered in an open space which is unhygienic and dangerous for human consumption.

Most of our customers have stopped

coming to the abattoir because of the condition and fear of being infected with disease”, Muhammadu said.

He said the association had made several complaints to the state Ministry of Environment over the situation and that nothing had been done.

Muhammadu urged the government to open the Yola modern abattoir closed for rehabilitation for the past five years, saying that opening the facility was a ‘major step’ to addressing the poor sanitary situation at the Yola abattoir.

Kaduna Adeiza respectively.

The reception was organised by the Lokoja Forum of Patriots (LFP).

The cleric, who lauded the establishment of federal universities, noted that the development of any nation was hinged on the level of education of its people.

He urged the president to sustain the leverage given Nigerians to be educated from primary to tertiary levels with less stress.

Fearon said the factor of “catchment area” as part of considerations for offering admission had in the past robbed many indigenes of Lokoja of the opportunity to acquire university education.

He, however, enjoined the people to take advantage of the institution, saying “ it is our expectation that this university will help us to think nationally.”

The cleric also urged indigenes of the state not to bother the institution’s management with demands it would not be able to meet.

Also speaking at the occasion, Sen. Tunde Ogbeha said the reception was organised to show that Lokoja community was appreciative of the Federal Government’s gesture.

He gave an assurance that the management of the institution would receive all the necessary support from indigenes.

The Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Idris Baba’ango, said the reception was the forum’s modest way to welcome the university community and give an assurance of the people’s partnership.

He, however, appealed to the management of the institution to consider the people of the state during admission and recruitment processes. “ The university will become meaningless if our people cannot take advantage of its location to achieve these things,’’ he added.

HE epidemiologist in the Gombe State Ministry of Health,Dr Abubakar Joshua, says some communities in the state are still rejecting the polio vaccine in spite of the aggressive awareness campaign by the authorities.

He told newsmen in Gombe that these communities still hold to their belief that the vaccine could cause infertility.

He named Kuri, Zambuk, Dadinkowa and Doso towns in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area as the places where the rate of rejection was high.

Joshua, however, lauded the efforts of traditional rulers, whom he said had shown a lot of commitment in seeing to the success of the polio immunisation.

“In spite of the efforts of our traditional rulers, some communities are still reluctant to accept the polio vaccine.

Police warn vehicle owners

T

HE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of the following abandoned vehicles to remove them immediately or lose them through auction.

Grammar School Police Station, Ojodu 1. BMW car-AP 403 SMK 2. Nissan saloon car – DF 999KJA 3. Volkswagen bus (Danfo)-XK729 KSF Olosan Police Station 1. Volkswagen bus (Danfo) – XL579 LND 2. Volkswagen bus (Danfo) – X940BDG Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja 1. Honda Accord saloon car- DN 845 ABC 2. Mitsubishi Lancer S/Car CD 8F37 LSR 3. Honda Accord S/car DH 418 FST 4. Renault S/Car MX 256 KJA 5. Toyota Carina IIS/Car DS 585 ABC 6. Toyota Camry S/Car GL 833 IKJ 7. “ “ S/Car BO 02 BWR 8. “ “ S/Car GT 75 AAA 9. Toyota Corolla EG 353 AAA 10. Nissan Sunny S/Car MT 408 ABJ 11. V/Wagen Faragon Bus AE 443 BBG 12. Honda Accord S/Car EL 942 GGE 13. Toyota Corolla S/Car DA 873 SMK 14. V/Wagen LT Bus XR 582 EKY 15. Mazda 262 S/Wagen AG 626 YAB 16. Deowoo Espavo S/Car MV 27 AAA 17. Nissan S/Car BK 267 KST 18. Peugeot 605 S/car DG 642 AAA 19. V/Wagen LT Bus XV 997 AKD 20. Mistubishi S/Car unregistered 21. Mitsubishi car – ER257KRD

Traders protest closure of Badagry markets

T

RADERS have protested the closure of markets in Badagry, the headquarter of Badagry Division, Lagos State, urging the monarch, the Menu Toyi, Oba Babatunde Akran, to wade into the crisis.

The traders, who demonstrated peacefully in the ancient town, also complained to the Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Hon. Moses Dosu and political office holders in the state to facilitate the re-opening of the market by community leaders.

The traders, who carried placards, said that the markets were closed abruptly without consultation, adding that the market leaders could not also give a satisfactory reason for inflicting pain on them and their customers.

“We appeal to Governor Babatunde Fashola to look into this local matter, since we have no Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for now and the local government chairman cannot confront the community leaders who closed the market.

Our wares and other articles of trade are in

Kebbi production.

It also recommended that farmers be empowered through providing them with credit facilities, provision of modern farming equipment and inputs.

“In the past tenure, your regime accorded priority to education and health and we feel this is the time to accord agriculture top priority, especially considering that it would offer employment opportunities and food security,’’ the chairman said.

Replying, Dakingari, described the report as timely and promised to begin implementation of the recommendations immediately.

“I assure that viable recommendations

•Dakingari would be implemented immediately so that improvement can be made in subsequent seasons,’’ he said.

Cholera kills 10 in Plateau, 370 infected

T

HE Permanent Secretary in the Plateau State Ministry of Health,Mr Jacob Wongdem has announced the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the state.

Wongdem, who earlier denied the outbreak of the disease, told newsmen in Jos that it had killed 10 people.

He added that 370 people had also been infected by the disease, reported in Jos South, Jos North, Mangu, Shendam, Barkin Ladi and Pankshin local government areas.

“It is a bad situation, but the ministry is already doing everything to control and stem the ailment,” the permanent secretary said.

He attributed the outbreak to poor sanitary conditions and the consumption of contaminated fruits and unwashed vegetables.

“The state government is worried that lives

Jos have been lost in the unfortunate cholera outbreak. We have dispatched surveillance teams to every nook and cranny of the state to contain the outbreak.

“Already, the government has provided drugs and infusion fluids for patients which have been distributed to all health centres in the 17 local government areas of the state.

“The epidemiology unit of the health ministry is also responding to the situation by way of treatment and investigations,” he said.

Wongdem regretted the spread of the disease which he said was transmissible and advised the public to improve on their personal hygiene and imbibe toilet etiquette to prevent infection.

Yobe distributes 1.2m mosquito nets

Y

OBE Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Ali, has inaugurated the free distribution of 1.2 million treated mosquito nets.

The deputy governor said on the occasion that government was partnering with development agencies to achieve total eradication of malaria by 2015. He said that the distribution committee under his chairmanship would ensure fair and even distribution of the nets to the people.

“In Yobe, we have intensified efforts to reduce malaria morbidity by 50 per cent by the year 2013. Government has stepped up efforts on both preventive and curative measures in its fight against malaria,” he said.

Abubakar gave an assurance that the government would sustain the free treatment of pregnant women and children below the age of five years in the state.

Dr Isa Adamu, the WHO representative in the state, regretted that 66, 000 malaria cases were reported in the state in 2010, adding that the figure represented 40 per cent of child killer disease in Yobe.

He pointed out that malaria scourge had negative effects on the productive age of the population and the economy and that many school children had lost valuable school hours due to the scourge.

Lawmaker promises dividends of democracy

A

member of the House of Representatives under the Labour Party representing Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo and Odigbo Federal Constitutuency in Ondo State, Hon. Johnson Akin-Adeoba, has assured the people of the state of the dividends of democracy.

He gave this assurance after a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C), Ile Oluji, Ondo State.

He said: “I am not going to sit in the house as a bench warmer. I was elected by my people to represent them positively by proposing and supporting bills that will better their lot. “He said that he would consult with his people on areas which would need legislation for government’s intervention and actions.

Adeoba also assured the people of his constituency and the state that he would not

Ondo relent on his promise to empower them, adding: ‘’women, youths, farmers and the handicapped in my constituency will be adequately taken care of. There is nothing better than putting smiles on the faces of the people whose mandate one is exercising”.

He reiterated his promise to make available constituency projects, saying that no area would be neglected. ‘’I shall make sure that the needs of the people are taken into consideration while providing such constituency projects in their area,” he added.

Adeoba thanked the leadership of his party and the Governor of the state Dr. Olusegun Mimiko for giving him the opportunity to serve his people.

By Emmanuel Oladesu

jeopardy”, said Wenu Avoseh, who spoke on behalf of the traders.

The traders also complained about the alleged indiscriminate sale of land earmarked for market expansion in the local government by certain elders to the detriment of the traders and community at large.

Avoseh said: “We have endured the lack of facilities in our markets, despite the taxes and rates we pay regularly to the government. It is a source of worry to us that we don’t even know why the market was closed. There is no explanation from the palace and our Babalojas and Iyalojas are not fighting for our interest. We depend on the markets for our means of livelihood.

That is why we are appealing to Governor Fashola to come to our aid”.

• Hon. Johnson Akin-Adeoba and his wife at the ceremony

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

29

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

Secrets of winners – Page 32

The water dance fiesta – Page 34

•Etim

GT Bank, Tate partner on African art – Page 35

‘I would have loved to bury my dad in Calabar’ Etim, son of the late Prof. Ekpo Eyo, speaks on his father’s death – SEE PAGE 32

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

30

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Usman and Mrs Eyo

•The late Eyo

‘I would have loved to bury my dad in Calabar’

D

ESPITE the early morning downpour, the funeral rites went well. From the Presbyterian Church, Yaba to Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos and the National Museum, Onikan, the attendance was impressive. Last Friday, the remains of the late Prof. Ekpo Eyo were laid to rest. He died last month at his Maryland home in the united States.

The National Museum, Onikan, Lagos where the pioneer Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) started his career also served as the place for friends, colleagues and relations to bid him final farewell. It was a celebration of a sort as cultural troupes from Calabar and a juju music band were on hand to thrill the audience to variety of tunes.

The roll of guests from the NCMM included the Director-General, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman; Director of Museums, Mr Nath Adediran; Director of Research, Planning and Publications, Dr. Musa Hambolu; Director, Heritage, Monuments and Sites, Mr. Oluremi Funsho Adedayo; Director, Administration and Supply, Mr OAS Alasan and Deputy Curator, National Museum Lagos, Mrs. Vickie Agili.

One of Eyo’s sons, Etim, who arrived at the party in company of his mother, Augusta, said stepping into his late father’s shoes would be very difficult. This, he said, is because his father left a big legacy and respectable name, not just for his country but the world.

Etim noted that if he had his way, he would have loved to bury his father in Calabar instead of Lagos.

“It is an ideal situation to bury him in Calabar, but he did not specify where he should be buried. He simply instructed that he should be buried in Nigeria. But, if I had all the resources and logistics, he would have been buried in Calabar,” he explained.

He described his late father as a detribalised gentleman who related with people with openness and honesty, which drew people to him.

“Whether you are an American, Asian, Caribbean or African, he identified with you and he was a man who gave himself completely to his profession and was very passionate about the work he did. In fact, he did

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

his work passionately until he died,” he added.

On what becomes of the late Eyo’s unpublished manuscript, which is on the royal art of Owo, Etim disclosed that it would undergo some finishing in terms of editing before it would be sent for publishing.

Continuing, he said: “Before he died, he had already made arrangement for who are going to work on the manuscript. As far as publishing is concerned, I am not too sure when it will be done, but getting the manuscript to the point of going to press is what the family has to discuss.”

One major challenge since he passed on was how to get funds to finance the funeral in three cities across the world; Maryland, USA, Lagos and Calabar. “It was a big challenge and we needed financial support. But the good thing is that people came around and supported me. Lots of people have taken on things that I would not have been able to do. These people deserve commendation.

For us to be able to host a funeral of such magnitude is a function of the tremendous support Nigerians gave to the family,” Etim said.

On June 10, foreign scholars held a memorial service in Maryland, USA in honour of the legendary museologist, Prof. Eyo, the first Nigerian-born head of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments

‘It is an ideal situation to bury him in Calabar, but he did not specify where he should be buried. He simply instructed that he should be buried in Nigeria. But, if I had all the resources and logistics, he would have been buried in Calabar’

•Cultural troupe at the event.

(NCMM). He was, until 2006, a professor of Anthropology at the University of Maryland, US. The late Eyo specialised in African art.

During his years as a professor of art history and archaeology at the University of Maryland, College Park, he directed archaeological field work at three important Nigerian sites, Ile-Ife, Owo, and Ikom. He reported the findings of those expeditions and his further research in the UNESCO Courier, The West African Journal of Archaeology, Africa Heute, Insight: The Quarterly of World Affairs, African Arts and other journals. His recent book, From Shrines to Showcases: Masterpieces of Nigerian Art was published in 2010 by the Federal Ministry of Information and Communication, Abuja. His books include Two Thousand Years of Nigerian Art (Imprimerie Marsens, Laussane) and, with co-author Frank Willet, Treasures of Ancient Nigeria: A Legacy of Two Thousand Years (Alfred Knopf, New York). Over the past few years, he completed a manuscript (unpublished to date) on the royal arts of Owo, a major focus of his research.

Prof. Eyo was honoured in 2004 with an ACASA Leadership Award and he was named Smithsonian Regency Fellow

PHOTOS: OZOLUA UHAKHEME

in 1984. His work involved on-site study of the monoliths of the Cross River region of eastern Nigeria, a project funded by the French Dapper Foundation, the L.J. and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, and the University’s Graduate School. He was also consultant to a major exhibition of African art that opened in 1995 at the Royal Academy of Art, London. Professor Eyo was a participant in an international symposium, The Part of Archaeology in the Cross-Cultural Dialogue between North and South, held in Switzerland under the sponsorship of the Swiss-Liechtenstein Foundation for Archaeological Research and the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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The Midweek Magazine

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Nigeria’s talents: Red… hot… smoky The premiere of RedHot Nigerian Creativity was more than just the viewing of the documentary film. It was an evening of many colours, glamour, talents and more as Nigeria’s bigwigs stormed the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

N

IGERIA is red, hot and boiling. The steam and redness is not about the bombing and clashes across the country. In short, she is a ‘boiling pot’, steaming hot with creative minds. So says Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago, the Director, Communication For Change (CFC).

This rare colour and creative stance is metaphoric of Nigeria’s budding talents. The thrust drew celebrities from all walks of life to the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos, last Wednesday. They came in lovely attires obviously to impress and watch the premiere of the documentary series on Nigeria’s creative industries, RedHot Nigerian Creativity.

The five-part film showcases Nigeria’s finest creative talents, highlighting their imaginative essences, achievements, potential… their pains and struggles. Essentially, it paints a mouth-watering picture of the value of the creative industry, drawing particular attention to its economic importance.

It was termed the ‘life and times of Nigerian talents’ by many who attended the screening since it examines old and contemporary stars seen as cultural ambassadors. These talents like their contemporaries are becoming the largest exports of the country in recent times, it was said. They include Bruce Onobrakpeya, Uchay Joel Chima, Peju Alatise, Kainebi Osahenye, Nnenna Okore, TY Bello (visual artists); musical acts Tee Mac Iseli, Cobhams Asuquo, Ara; and Tunde Kelani, Teco Benson, Izu Ojukwu, Stephanie Okereke (movies).

Others are those in the performing arts — Sarah Boulos, SPAN; Segun Adefila and his Crown Troupe of Africa (dance); Julius Agwu (comedian), and Motunrayo Idowu (oriki praise singer).

Each told stories of how their arts have influenced their lives. Adefila said: “Arts saved my life.” Ara noted that: “The drum chose me and it has blessed me.”

In addition, it had the voices of critics and arts activists, such as Bisi Sylva at the background talking of the financially viable of the industry.

“This is deep,” Emeka Mba, Director-General, Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), said of the film.

“This is our story. For me, I am privileged to have lived within this age to see people who are creative. These are not entertainment alone…it is our way of life, business and how we treat it shows our value of it. Indeed, art would probably save our lives as a country. Thank you Sandra,” he said.

Like Mba, other guests were impressed by what they saw.

Indeed, it was not the first time guests were hearing or watching documentary interviews of the economic worth of the industry consisting of arts, music, movies, theatre, and dance, among others. But CFC’s film raised so many unanswered questions over the reasons it is still underharnessed.

The Economist once stated that “The $800 million-a-year film industry is the second-most prolific in the world and Nigeria’s second biggest employer, after the government.”

If the internationally-acclaimed could rate the industry that high, the question is: why has the industry not exploded?

“So, if the entertainment industry is a big employer, why is it that the economic powers, the financial institutions and government regulators don’t see our industry as the bedrock of our economy?” Mbanefo-Obiago asked.

She noted that: “While our creativity is bursting at the seams, there is no enabling environment to foster, incubate and celebrate our ingenuity.”

Diamond Bank Managing Director, Mr Alex Otti had a different view. He said: “There is a lot work required from the industry. Indeed, the creativity of the world rests here.

But you need to organise yourself and know that the industry is beyond writing, dancing or acting. You have to keep re-inventing yourself; stop the copy-cat concept. Give yourself to research. Also, you need to think of it as a business to see that the business is bankable. Only then can you get loans from banks. We, in Diamond Bank, support ideas that are bankable. I did not know it was going to be this big. The effort is laudable.”

He also listed piracy as another hindrance to the growth of the industry. “I lost the money I invested in a film years back due to piracy,” he noted.

Mba said: “We would do our best at NFVCB to ensure that

•Queen of the drums, Ara

• Nike Okundaye and other guests

creative works are secured. We want partnerships with sponsors and investors so that the industry can continue to thrive.

Let’s continue this creativity.”

What inspired the film, Mbanefo-Obiago was asked.

“Firstly, the need to showcase Nigeria’s talents – steaming hot creative minds – to the world inspired the making of the film. Secondly, it is to draw attention to the long-term investment in Nigerian creative industry. We likened it to a ‘boiling pot. It is boiling and we seem not to be noticing it.

It is also likened to a cookie jar full of hot cookies that nobody is noticing until it burst and spills. The artistes in the films represent the pool of Nigerian talents and if they are not recognised they can take their creativity somewhere else or keep silent.

“Many of our artistes are frustrated. While Nollywood is churning out award-winning films, watched by millions of fans across the world, our movie producers are driving around in jalopies, and majority of our actors get no respect.

There has to be a change. It is hoped that the film will in-

‘Many of our artistes are frustrated.

While Nollywood is churning out award-winning films, watched by millions of fans across the world, our movie producers are driving around in jalopies, and majority of our actors get no respect. There has to be a change. It is hoped that the film will inspire the needed change; and spark the right reactions, support and sponsorship from the government and investors so as to grow the economy and create more jobs’

PHOTOS: YINKA AKINGBADE

spire the needed change; and spark the right reactions, support and sponsorship from the government and investors so as to grow the economy and create more jobs,” she said.

Owing to the film’s depth and quality, some guests have opined that CFC should make the films available and affordable to the public, schools and libraries.

Before the screening of the film, the red carpet and cocktail was a preview of sort of what was to come. Everyone who was somebody in the creative industry including critics and regulators were there. Those featured in the films were there. It was a full house. This segment of the event, which lasted over two hours, had in attendance who-is-who in the Nigerian creative world alongside captains of industry. CFC sort of gave everyone an open forum for networking.

It was followed by performances byCohbams, Tee Mac, Ara and Crown Troupe of Africa.

The award-winning Okereke was in a short yellow dress.

TY Bello wore her usual exotic hairdo. Julius Agwu was in a classy black suit and had his jokes at hand. Ara came in a lovely flowing gown. The music sensation Asuquo was not left out in the evening’s fun. The film regulators had their representative there. Decked in his usual Urhobo attire, Onobrakpeya oozed with creative vibes.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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Bayelsa hosts Izon quiz schools challenge

Secrets of winners

W

HY do some succeed where others have failed? Why do some see opportunities where others are seeing gloom and misery? Why do some see possibilities where others see limitations?

Why are some winning while others are losing? Are there any biological, physical, cultural, social, or geographical determinants to success or failure? These are questions the 52 page book The Secrets of Winners written by Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu attempts to provide answers to.

The book is designed to help those who are desirous of success to unleash and maximise their God-given potentials through well articulated and time-tested principles. The book X-rays the profiles of winners as against losers and reveals that having a positive mindset is a sine qua non to a successful, healthy and happy life.

It starts by emphasising the unprecedented great opportunities and possibilities that exist in the world today. However, through the odyssey of world journey, there are winners and losers.

The success stories exert great positive impact on society and indeed leave positive legacies while losers are forever condemned to the dustbin of history, having spent all their lives in failures and busy cataloguing why they could not succeed.

The author made it absolutely clear that the difference between winners and losers in the game of life is a direct function of their mindset. Winners have positive mindset while losers have negative mindset.

The book goes on to say that the crucial role of the mind as a powerful seat of all transformation and creative thoughts cannot be overlooked or underestimated.

A section of the book went on to clearly elaborate on the need to develop a positive mindset. This is absolutely necessary for one to set his goals and believe they are achievable. The implication of this for the wider society is that what others see as stumbling blocks of failure can be changed into stepping stones of success through a positive mindset.

The author’s analysis of components of positive mindset generates a deeper understanding of the subject matter. This ranges from positive self image to right mental attitude for success.

The Secrets of Winners also explores the intrinsic nature of positive mindset as well as the Socio-psychological benefits/consequences of having a positive mindset or the lack of it and goes further to highlight practical steps to developing a positive mindset.

The focal point of this book is the critical steps needed to develop a positive mindset. In summary these are Hearing, Listening, Believing and Action. This section of the book sounds like a mini encyclopedia to developing a positive mindset.

It is an indispensable material for students of Entrepreneurship. Schumpeter (1950) defines an entrepreneur as a person who is willing and able to convert a new idea or invention into a successful innovation.

This timely book corroborates this definition by mak-

I

BOOK REVIEW Title: Reviewer: Pages: Author:

The Secrets of Winners Prof. Emmanuel E. Chibundu, 52 Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu

ing it abundantly clear that possibilities and creativity are the hallmarks of people with positive mindset.

The word impossibility does not exist in their dictionary.

The author’s rich academic and professional background coupled with his extensive practical experience has enabled him deliver another masterpiece. This is because this subject matter is much discussed and not much has been written about it.

This is a book for all classes of people. It is for men and women who want to succeed in life and leave permanent positive footprints for posterity on the sands of time.

The book is a valuable addition to every library and a must read for every individual especially the youths because of its proven ability to unlock the hidden potentials in the individual, lead him/her to self-discovery as well as propel him/her to a life of excellence, success and fulfillment.

For the entrepreneur, the guidelines here will unleash the hidden potentials into great success stories.

Even the academia will find this book a useful reference material in relevant fields and discipline. The book is definitely a contribution to knowledge. Anybody who reads this book will be positively transformed.

N its bid to promote and preserve Izon culture through spoken language, the Southsouth Zonal Office of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), has commenced an Inter-School Quiz Challenge at the SouthSouth Zonal Office of the institute, at Amarata-Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Chairman of the occasion, Chief John Agha, who is the General Manager of NTA Yenagoa, extolled NICO for its bold initiative to promote and preserve Izon culture through diverse programmes.

According to him, as the fourth largest ethnic group in the country, Izon language deserves to form part of the curriculum of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO). He, therefore, enjoined the Bayelsa State Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in the educational sector to take steps at introducing the teaching of Izon language in schools.

Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, said that Izon Quiz Challenge is aimed at preserving Izon cultural heritage, using language as a medium of promoting cultural identity and unity among the Izon tribe, and getting the students acquainted with their Mother Tongue (MT).

Ayakoroma, who was represented by Southsouth Zonal Co-ordinator, Mr. Mike Ekoko, explained that the event would be a regular one in order to inculcate the speaking of Izon language among students, emphasing that the programme would be carried out in other States of the Zone using the major indigenous languages spoken in those states.

He solicited the support of the state Ministry of Education to include the Izon language in the curriculum of schools.

The Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice A. Atuwo, who was the special guest of honour, applauded the initiative of NICO in organising the Izon Quiz Challenge, stating that the Ministry has taken steps to promote the teaching of Izon language in schools.

According to her, the Ministry had already prepared a curriculum and scheme of work for the eventual teaching of Izon language in primary and secondary schools in the state.

Seven selected secondary schools drawn from both public and private schools in Yenagoa, participated in the maiden edition of the programme.

The schools are Early Foundation School, Biogbolo; Spark International Academy, Swali; Basic Junior Girls Secondary School, Amarata; and New Total Child Academy, Kpansia.

Others are Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Biogbolo-Yenizuegene; Community Secondary School, Agudama-Epie; and Ayakpo Schools (City of Christ), Biogbolo.

At the end of the Quiz Challenge, Master Kakar Brandy of Community Comprehensive Secondary School, BiogboloYenizuegene, won the first prize, while Master Ibumozi Seibarugu of Ayakpo Schools (City of Christ), Biogbolo, and Miss Agnes Jacob of Spark International Academy, Swali, won the second and third positions.

The Chief Judge of the Quiz Contest was Mrs. Simeni Zidubadou, while Mr. Imbazi Menitare and Mr. Eneware Enekidi, acted as co-judges. The competition was witnessed

by Staff of NICO South-South Zonal Office, the Press and personalities from the academia.

NICO customised exercise books were distributed to all the students and schools that participated in this competition.

Plateau lawmaker promises to revamp tourism

T

HE Chairman, Plateau State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Mr Audu Ado Adere has promised to rejig the tourism sub sector in the state. He stated this

after a visit to the Obudu Cattle Ranch, Cross River State where the lawmakers went for a retreat.

He noted that the experience would help him to contribute immensely towards revamping the tourism subsector in the state.

Adere, who is representing Rukuba/Irigwe constituency and the Deputy Chief Whip in State House of Assembly, said he would ensure tourism friendly laws are enacted by the House to boost the tourism in the state.

His words: “You know that Plateau is the home of peace and tourism. I want to assure that we will do our best to contribute to the development of the tourism sector in the State. We will not be rubber stamp as lawmakers, but we will create room for good working relationship with the executive to bring meaningful development in the state”.

He maintained that ‘a synergy between the executive and the legislature will bring about the desired development and once the State is developed, tourists will patronise us’.

Continuing, he said: ‘’I want to assure you that we will give the best representation to our people, I mean the people of Plateau State and we will do our best not to fail Plateau people as lawmakers, but rather con-

•Jang

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

tribute our best to give them qualitative representation.”

He stressed that the retreat at Obudu has prepared him and his colleagues for the task ahead because as lawmakers, it is our responsibility to legislate to reduce the suffering of our people and give them the dividends of democracy.

However, earlier before their departure to Obudu, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Diket Plang, said the visit to the tourists’ site was for a retreat to prepare the lawmakers for the challenges of law making for the next legislative session.

He expressed optimism that the retreat would avail them the opportunities to brain storm on issues affecting the transformation of the state.

Despite the state determination to promote tourism, the fund recently allocated to the sub-sector leaves no one guessing. At the 2011 budget breakdown done by the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Finance, Mr Davou Mang, “the tourism, culture and environment sub-sectors were allocated N1, 189, 702, 000. The fund is menat for projects such as purchase of solid waste trucks and pay-loader, soil and gully erosion control in some parts of the state and completion of indoor theatre” which had been abandoned since the Dariye administration.

Mang disclosed that “the state Tourism Corporation is allocated N118, 350, 000. The fund is to make the tourist centres in the State more attractive and a dependable revenue earner for the State”.

With the amount allocated to the corporation, a source said that “not much would be achieved in the sector because everything is in a state of disarray and “we need an overhaul. This money is for renovation as well. It is not enough, but we will see how to manage so that we achieve the target of making Plateau the number one tourists’ State in the country”.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘My manuscripts gathered dust for four decades’ At the third anniversary of Abuja Writers’ Forum (AWF), Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo read from her Roses and Bullets as guest writer. In this report, TUNJI AJIBADE writes on the life of the academic.

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HE event provided an opportunity for many to meet, for the first time, the author whose work they have been reading over the years. It was memorable being unusual in form and content.

Live music was provided by Tokunbo, and the guest writer focused less on reading.

Though she read, but more on discussing issues that were salient to writers. In the process, she beamed the searchlight on her personal experiences.

In her introductory remarks, she took her audience on a literary trip, the way only a teacher could do. Everyone had listened as she spoke as though they were in a classroom, breaking issues into chewable pieces and sharing experiences that were not only informative, but encouraging to writers and wouldbe writers.

In any case, she has always had a way with the younger generation, which formed a larger part of the guests. In her word, “I relate well more with younger people. And I really enjoy being with people who are younger than me, which I think is a reason I have had a good time at the University of Lagos all these years.”

Adimora-Ezeigbo also spoke about her experiences in writing, especially of manuscripts completed and unpublished, manuscripts that did not catch the interest of one publisher, but caught that of another - both at home and abroad. According to her, one of her earliest manuscripts remains unpublished till date.

Yet, she has about 34 published books to her credit.

The manuscript gathered dust, turned brown on the shelf, but she would not bring it out over the years, “because I always want to move on, work on new things.” Recently, someone took the abandoned manuscript to Europe after some four decades of lying around, and it has begun to generate interests among publishers. “Don’t throw away anything you ever write,” she counselled her enchanted audience. But she was also quick to observe the task, the demands and the means a writer needs to produce good manuscripts.

She noted how it is important to have a stable job because there is no money in writing in this environment yet. “You can’t start out writing with your mind on making money,” she said. And for anyone serious enough about writing, “when next you have a relation who asks what you want him or her to do for you, ask to be accommodated in a room in some quiet place for a couple of weeks where you can do some writing.” On issues to write about, she explained that the nation has so many materials for fiction, which have not

been fully explored. She identified the Niger Delta issue, the Boko Haram, the military years, and the civil war, the last of which she wrote about in the Roses and Bullets.

In her words, Roses and Bullets ”is basically about two important characters, a young man and a young woman in a period of war. The war affected their love; it actually destroyed it. It is about their lives and their families. The girl is the most important character. The story widens to bring in the war experience and other characters that are affected by it.

“Roses and Bullets is a love story set before and after the war. I have read everything on the Nigerian civil war. Apart from witnessing it, I have been able to transmute ideas and facts into fiction.”

One of the points that stood out in what Ezeigbo shared with writers is that there is no magic to writing. “Know what it is that you want, and be determined to work at it”, she said, recalling names of writers, especially women, whose husband burnt their earliest manuscripts, but refused to give up and have become household names as authors.

Ezeigbo read excerpts from her latest book of over 500 pages, that she began in 2003 and finished in 2007, but had it published in 2011.

The guest writer noted that Roses and Bullets is a product of many years of research. The thesis for her doctorate degree was on the Nigerian civil war, and her research made her to read about other civil wars around the world including the American civil war, and this made it easy for her when she began to write Roses and Bullets. She also experienced the war first hand. She was a volunteer in the Biafran Army during the 1967-1970 war. ”There was so much enthusiasm for the war. So, everyone just volunteered.” She held a rank in her group of volunteers and they were given military training. She knew what war meant; the deprivation, the agonies, the losses. She recalled that some of her relatives were lost to the war.

First hand experiences of harsh realities of life such as wars have various effects on people.

With a tone to her voice that resonated the emotional issue that she described, AdimoraEzeigbo gave the impression of one who was

•Ezeigbo

touched, though her will remains intact. Her simplicity endeared her to many. And there was no trace of bitterness in her voice. She had these gestures that seemed to say, ‘what has happened has happened.

But she has emerged from it as a repository of knowledge on the civil war years, and has a book that tells what she witnessed, read in the work of the generals that fought, heard from her father, her husband and some of his friends who had all fought in the war.

The Federal Government was instrumental to the course her life had taken, she admitted.

That was because she and her sister secured a Federal Government scholarship in 1970-71 to study in the university. In a period where whatever her father had in Biafran currency became ordinary papers, that timely aid from the Federal Government was something she remains grateful for. “We were selected on merit, and for two girls from the same family to be selected was a great thing,” she pointed

‘when next you have a relation who asks what you want him or her to do for you, ask to be accommodated in a room in some quiet place for a couple of weeks where you can do some writing’

out. And she got married while she was an undergraduate. “My parents felt I was too young, but I was convinced I had met the man I would want to live with.” They are married with three children today. “I always asked him: Is there anything you miss, anything you need that I have failed to provide?” AdimoraEzeigbo said when a question came about what the effects of her devotion to writing might have been on her husband and her children.

“You can see that now I am in Abuja, and I am away from him,” she added, pointing out that there is always a price to pay for everything.

She disclosed that she has an understanding husband, one who has encouraged her to do what she likes to do.

At the University of Lagos, she is known simply as Akachi Ezeigbo. She bears Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo because “my father encouraged me to write earlier on. He is dead, and because I want to immortalise his name, I discussed with my husband that I wanted my father’s name ‘Adimora’ to be part of my name as a writer.” Ezeigbo explained that writing fiction about the civil war has been on her mind since the war ended.

Her fascination with the war had made her do a doctorate thesis entitled, “Facts and Fictions of the Nigerian Civil War.” But she never really had time to work on her fictional version until she took time off, spent time away in a fellowship programme, and that was when she was able to complete the book, Roses and Bullets. “With this, I think I can now safely lay the war issue to rest,” she said.

Nigeria eyes grand prize at Bamako

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IGERIA’S Uche Okpa-Iroha won the Seidu Keita grand prize at the last edition of the Africa Photography Biennale in Bamako, Mali.

Nigeria will again this year be among contenders for the grand prize as three Nigerian photograhers, George Osodi, Akitunde Akinleye and Uzoma Anyanwu will be participating in the nineth edition of the biennale, Bamako Encouters. It will hold between November 1 and January 1, 2012 at the National Museum, Bamako, Mali.

The festival is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Mali in collaboration with the Institute of France and the European Union.

In the 2009 edition, Nigerian photographer, Uche Opka-Iroha won the Seidu Keita grande prize award for his black and white photograph. He was in Mali in company of other nine members of Invisible Border, a group of

photographers who went to Mali by road from Nigeria.

The artistic directors for the event are Michket Krifa and Laura Serani while director-général is Mr. Samuel Sidibé. Theme for the biennale, which will feature exhibitions, video screenings, workshops and talks is ; For a sustainable world. The professional week will open between November 1 and 7 followed by the exhiobition.

Among photographers selcted for the expositions are Nana Kofi Acquah (Ghana), Akitunde Akinleye (Nigeria) Uzoma Anyanwu (Nigeria), Sophia Baraket (Tunisia), Arturo Bibang (Equatorial Guinea), Lien Botha ( South Africa), Drissa Coulibaly (Mali), Raymond Dakoua (Côte D’ivoire),Bakary Daou (Mali-Côte D’ivoire), Fatoumata Diabate (Mali), Omar Victor Diop (Sénégal), Calvin Dondo (Zimbabwé), Hichem Driss (Tunisia), Hassan Et

Husain Essop (South Africa) and Ymane Fakhir (Morocco) Amr Fekry (Egypt), Elise Fitte-Duval (Martinique), Faten Gaddes (Tunisia), François-Xavier Gbre (Côte D’ivoire), Lofti Ghariani (Tunisia), Bruno Hadji (Algeria), Nermine Hamman (Egypt), Pieter Hugo (South Africa), Délio Jasse (Angola), Mouna Karray (Tunisia), Kiripi Katembo ( Démocratic Republic Of Congo), Francis Kodia (Congo), Mamadou Konate(Mali), N’krumah Lawson Daku (Togo), Armel Louzala (Congo), Mario Macilau (Mozambique), Sabelo Mlangeni (South Africa), Fabrice Monteiro (Bénin), Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi (Zimbabwé), Daniel Naude (South Africa), Khalil Nemmaoui (Morocco), Jehad Nga (Lybie), Charles Okereke (Nigeria), Adolphus Opara (Nigeria), Nyaba Léon Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso),

Nyani Quarmyne (Ghana), Jo Ractliffe (South Africa), Roberto Stephenson (Haïti), Michael Tsegaye (Ethiopia) and Thandile Zwelibanzi (South Africa) For video, the following artists will present works on the theme of biennale.

Bakary Diallo (Mali), Dimitri Fagbohoun (Bénin) Em’kal Eyongakpa (Cameroun), Khaled Hafez (Egypt), Katia Kameli (Algéria), Amal Kenawy (Egypt), Brent Meistre (South Africa), Grace Ndiritu (Kenya), Rina Ralay-Ranaivo (Madagascar) and Ahmed Sabry (Egypt).

Monographies will be presented by Abdoulaye Barry, Philippe Bordas, David Goldblatt, Kiripi Katembo, Goddy Leye, Francis Nii Obodai, George Osodi, and Nyaba Ouedraogo.

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Imagine walking into people on the beach doing the makossa, hiphop, 'yahoozee' dances and more in the middle of the sea. Imagine the music, the movement and the feel pulling at you to join in the dance - one that runs into the night. These are no mermaids. They are choreographers, dancers in a global water dance fiesta. Nigeria was part of the water feast as the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) thrilled Lagosians. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

•Water dancers hunting for water

•Flowing Human River moving through the street

The water dance fiesta

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T was the sonorous voice of Olafunmi Olajoyegbe that first caused a steer that Saturday afternoon. She took the stance of an opera singer in her blue-striped gown. The song she sang served as the appetiser of the water advocacy dance by the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) held penultimate Saturday at Freedom Park, Lagos. It was followed by electrifying movements that could be seen as a esoteric dance battle’ of a sort.

The performance was fluid. The organisers called the concept Human River. The dancers formed a chain taking postures of a flowing river as they danced through the streets.

The flowing Human River dance began at Tinubu Square and moved through the streets of Lagos Island into Freedom Park. Olajoyegbe said: “Water doesn’t stop. That is the major principle of water. And that was why we kept on going, like water, flowing into different area of the park and keeps on flowing.”

Her singing ushered in the ‘flowing water dancers’ into the Freedom Park where the major showdown began. However, before they came, the award-winning gospel singer created so much suspense in the audience, wetting their appetite with her esoteric rendition. Like a goddess of music, her voice kept calling while the audience waited. Suddenly, the cry for water rent the air.

“Water! Water! Omi o, Omi o, water! Give us water!” Shouts as these burst the air from different parts of the park, disturbing the peaceful serenity of Olajoyegbe singing. Earlier, bottled water found its way into the hands of the audience and it was whispered softly that they were supposed to give the dancers water as they made their way into the crowd.

By this SPAN engaged the audience in their performance.

They also forced the viewers to follow them across the park.

“It was an engaging moment…a thrilling one at that,” most of the audience said. Immediately the entered the park, the dancers broke the sequence and head straight at the audience asking for water. Moved by the pains in the dancers’ voices and faces, water changed hands from audience to performers. But the shouts refused to stop. It was a moving sight to behold. And so began the clamour for drinking water.

“Give us water… more water. Water…Water,” they screamed. When the water was no longer forthcoming, the dancers formed flowing lines, this time, and made their way towards the other parts of the park. The audience followed.

And the cry for water continued. The singing intensified.

Like scavengers seeking for a buried treasure, the water dancers kept on searching after water. It was a serious search, one that got the audience searching along.

Olajoyegbe melodious voice kept on flowing like water beneath the screams. Their movement changed with every search. Disappointed that the water fountains were not clean enough for drinking, they turned the search to a sort of ‘water war’ of sort; throwing the water against one another.

They intensified their cry. And the singing continued.

The group splitup and various dance displays alongside water fights and water rituals ensued. Some moved from front to the iron bridge, climbed up with some acrobatic displays, stayed there for a while, came down to the fountains close to it in search of drinkable water, and others stayed down dancing and searching; some others went to the water

•Olajoyegbe on a quest for water PHOTOS:EVELYN OSAGIE AND MICHEAL OGA

fountains. After spending minutes, they regrouped. The ‘water dancers’ followed then to the huts at the back.

The Olajoyegbe’s vibrations changed with the dance movements creating deep pulsations as the search turned from cry to anger. The clamour increased. The audience followed.

The dancers and singer made their way to the amphitheater where series of acrobatic displays took place.

On stage of the amphitheatre, Olajoyegbe’s voice called out with strong intensity. By this time, they seemed to have

‘The Human River piece is a peaceful call for the free access of clean water. It is ironic that Lagos, like Nigeria, is surrounded by water, yet no access to drinking water. This is the inspiration behind the dance drama. It is a thirst for the property I own but can’t use. It is a campaign for drinking water to be accessible to the common man’

worn the audience out with their search as they began to move back to their seats in trickles. Still, the water dance went on minutes. Then, the dancers led by choregraphers and singer flowed back to the stage. This time her singing was no longer audible. But one could see she was still singing. This was probably because the performance had stretched beyond the given time of the day’s events. At last, they converged by the side of the stage still dancing but without the kind of music it began with. One could take the final act as a resolution of the whole movement which could mean ‘victory at last’ or where the search ends.

The dance drama is part of the Global Water Dances festival that took place in about 60 countries across the world at the same time on June 25. The global dance is more than just an annual fiesta. It began with a small group of students of nonverbal communications all trained in Laban Movement Analysis, with decades of experience in producing movement choirs, events that use community dance to create social cohesion.

It was the brainchild of a group of Laban Movement Analysts who attended a conference on Dance And the Environment in July 2008 at Schumacher College, England, according to the Global Water Dances website, www.globalwaterdance.org.

It later became open to everyone, especially people who love to dance, to participate in planning local events of the Global Water Dances in their countries. Before long, the number of the participating countries rose to 60; and varying activities held to mark the day. A wide range of choreographers, dance groups, community organisations, water activists, and others now take advantage of the event to draw attention to their local water crisis. Most of the participating countries led by world-class choreographers usually danced in rivers, oceans; while others dance underneath fountains or by the sea side.

The dance, which is performed at 5pm local time, featuring a ritual or opening ceremony; one created by choreographers from that area using locally-based music. It centres on specified local issues with water alongside simultaneous choreography done by all the performers worldwide to the same piece of music, connecting participants and audience globally. The audience participation also comes to play through a very simple movement sequence, which the audience may have learned prior to performance.

This was the backdrop of SPAN’s performance. The concept was inspired directed by Andrea Haenggi, a New York chorographer.

According to SPAN Director, Sarah Boulos, it is ironical of the story of Lagos. “The Human River piece is a peaceful call for the free access of clean water. It is ironic that Lagos, like Nigeria, is surrounded by water, yet no access to drinking water. This is the inspiration behind the dance drama. It is a thirst for the property I own but can’t use. It is a campaign for drinking water to be accessible to the common man. It is also a peaceful call for change; and an advocacy dance calling on the government to look into the plight of the common people. We are saying they should make the necessities of life such as clean drinkable water to be accessible to everyone.

“And we know we can’t get what we want sitting down and folding our hands. So, we have to move and search for our treasures - water. And we can’t do it alone. That was why the audience – everyone – had to be involved. In SPAN, when we dance, we dance to make a change. This was why when Andrea Haenggi contacted us about the performance we felt it was worth performing. It was inspiring,” she said.

The day’s celebration was also part of the event marking the World Music Day celebration in Lagos organised by Alliance Français. This, Haenggi said, affected Global Water Dance activities. She said: “Because we shared the day with other events, we could not finish it. That was why there was no singing at the end. It was sad.”

2011

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LIFELINE

GT Bank, Tate partner on African art

Ulli Beier: Institute calls for papers

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

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A

FTER a successful sponsorship of the Chris Ofili exhibition at Tate Britain last year and the exhibit of Yinka Shonibare’s Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, London, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions based in Nigeria, has entered into partnership with Tate Modern, UK. The deal will project the importance of African arts origin to global artistic developments.

The long term sponsorship is a bigger and bolder initiative that will take Guaranty Trust Bank’s involvement with African art a significant step forward. It will include the creation of a dedicated curatorial post at Tate Modern to focus on African art. As well as exploring contemporary practice in the region, the new Curator will help to deepen knowledge and understanding of the impact of art from the world’s second-largest continent, an acquisition fund to enable the Tate to enhance its holdings of work by African artists, an annual project in London and in Africa that will enable continuous exchanges between young artists, curators, collectors and cultural institutions in African and internationally.

Speaking on the partnership, the Acting Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, Segun Agbaje, and a long advocate of the company’s investment in art, said: “Today

•Acting Managing Director, Segun Abaje and Director, Tate Modern, Chris Dercon

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

we announce an important partnership between Tate and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc to improve international awareness about the various genre of African Art and provide new opportunities for Artists across the continent.

“At Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, we believe that Art is an intricate part of the African heritage and a complete reflection of everything it means to be African; creative, beautiful, industrious and hopeful. This conviction has led to our involvement in numerous Art promoting initiatives over the years and is the bedrock for this new partnership with Tate.

We believe this partnership with Tate will play an important role in fuelling economic and social progress and are therefore

committed along with our African and international stakeholders to strive together with Tate, African artists, curators and cultural institutions to actualise the goals of this collaboration, which include supporting art talent in Africa, safe guarding our African heritage for future generations and enhancing the perception of our continent and country by the rest of the world”.

Chris Dercon, Director, Tate Modern, said; “This important partnership between Tate and Guaranty Trust Bank marks the recognition of the significance of modern and contemporary art in Africa. We now have an unprecedented opportunity to work with colleagues in the region, with energy, curiosity and eagerness, to define new parameters in art. This is the beginning of being able to give African art the focus it deserves with audiences around the world.”

Geli offers God of Restoration

H

ER mother was a traditional musician while her father was a percussion player.

She discovered and honed her musical skills under them. At 7, she started staging music performance i n highlife and became a star in her teens.

But, tragedy struck when she was age 12.

She lost her parents and consequently dropped out of school because there was no support.

She was not deterred. She pursued her dream notwithstanding and produced many gospel and highlife albums.

Last Sunday, highlife artiste, Oby Eluemunor, popularly called Geli added another album to her list.

The album, entitled God of Restoration, was launched amid pomp and pageantry in Lagos.

Tant One Garden, Abule Egba, Lagos, venue of the launch, was filled with her relations, friends and fans who came to celebrate with her.

Geli, who was clad in a traditional outfit, was a bundle of joy and fulfilment as she received guests to the launch, which also marked her 20th anniversary in music. She thrilled the audience by presenting the hit track in the album. The presentation generated applause from the audience.

According to her, the eight-tracker was inspired by the challenges she faced as an orphan and to emphasise the virtue of praising God. “The album is all about having the attitude of praise to God. That is the central message. I went through a lot in life. I just want people to know that if you hold on to God, he will see you through, no matter the obstacles,” she said.

Sharing her experience in music, the Delta State born artiste said: “I have been singing since I was seven years old. I produced my first album in 1993. I have done eight albums altogether. I sing about life philosophy; the ugly, the bad and the solution. I sing gospel and high life music.I get my inspiration from life experience, what people pass through. I use

HE Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Oyo State has called for papers from intending participants at the forthcoming conference in honour of the late Ulli Beier. The conference theme is Culture and Society in Post-Colonial Nigeria and will hold at the institute between November 28 and 30, 2011.

An abstract of not more than 250 words is expected to reach the conference organisers through the following e-mail addresses: Ohioma Pogoson <tellohio@yahoo.com<mailto:tellohio@yahoo.com; Ayo Adeduntan <grandeekay@yahoo.com: not later than August 15, 2011.

A statement by the organisers said the conference is being organised in honour of Ulli Beier, not only to invoke his memorable role in the cultural production in Nigeria from the years immediately before and after the independence.

It added that it is also to incite robust discussion on his entire oeuvre as a cultural interventionist. Participants are expected to be drawn from literature, performance and visual arts, especially artists that Ulli Beier’s many forums (Black Opheus, Mbari, Mbari Mbayo) fostered, which is a proof of his sterling contributions to African culture.

Sub-themes include the following: culture theory, culture, gender and (Wo)Men’s rights, culture, democracy and governance, globalisation, mass culture and the new media, material culture and cultural performance, culture and ecology, traditional medicine and spirituality.

Others are conflict prevention and management, social movements and ethics.

The keynote speakers are the Chair, African Studies Department, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC. Prof. Akin Ogundiran, who will talk on Crises of Culture and Consciousness in the Postcolony: What is the Future for Nigeria? and Director Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, Osun State, Professor Wole Ogundele, on He Lived among the Orisha: Ulli Beier and the Yoruba Cultural Revival.

Life in my city

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•From left: Geli, Nwabuokei and HRM Ibekwe

‘My challenges as a female artiste are enormous. This is because of the demand of marketers and getting sponsors, promoters for my music. Since 1993, I have been on self-help and through the help of God to produce those albums. No rich people want to put their money in music.’

By Sunday Ogundugba

music to share these experiences. I am also a busy person and a trader. I sell fabrics, jewellery and fashion materials.

“It was not easy getting by as a female musician. I was a resident artiste in Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja. It was a wonderful experience. It was a band. I appeared in African costume and

I performed there every Wednesday. I run my band, called Sound Africana. I quit in 1992 to do my songs.

“My challenges as a female artiste are enormous. This is because of the demand of marketers and getting sponsors, promoters for my music. Since 1993, I have been on self-help and through the help of God to produce those albums. No rich people want to put their money in music. They want to invest today and get their money back tomorrow. I am doing music for the love of music, not for the financial gains.

I cannot do without singing. After this presentation, I am also working on a video, after which I will put on air.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr Gideon Nwabuokei, praised her resilience and voice.

He said many do not want to discover their talent because of sheer laziness. “Many people have talents but they bury them and pursue other things. Geli is an exception. She is making us proud with her talents.

Also at the launch was Dr Ngozi Ibekwe, the Ugo Oha 1 of Etiti Mgboko, Abia State. He described the album as a plus to the music industry, saying they songs were inspired by God and will add positive impact.

NTERESTED young artists wishing to be part of the high prize pan-Nigerian youth art competition, Life In My City Art Festival are to obtain entry forms from the Alliance Francaise Offices around the country from June 30, 2011.

All entries must be received at the various Alliance Francaise collection centres in Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Maiduguri, Jos, Port Harcourt, Abuja Owerri and Enugu by August 27, 2011.

Zonal exhibitions and selection of finalists will hold between September 19 and 25 while the week of exhibition of the works that make the final is slated to begin in Enugu on October 24 lasting till the award and gala night on October 29, 2011.

The theme for this year’s competition is Horizon of Hope.

Entry forms, posters and flyers detailing the conditions and requirements for aspiring contestants can also be downloaded from the festivals website www.lifeinmycityartfestival.org Life In My City now in its fifth year is the brain child of Mr. Robert Oji, Chairman and Managing Director of Rocana Nigeria Limited. It has been supported from inception by the Alliance Française network in Nigeria, and the Pan African Circle of Artistes which provides professional advice and guidance.

With a first prize tag of N400,000, Life in My City is the most attractive art competition for young people in Nigeria drawing over 500 entries in the last two years. At every stage, it attracts throngs of older artists, art patrons, scholars, teachers and collectors with many converging in Enugu yearly to see an ever rising quality of works on display year on year.

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‘Only you can decide who collects your royalty’

Take a message to Xty From Azuka Jebose Molokwu In 1960, you were given the FREEDOM to please our world. You earned our PATIENCE. Through these journeys, you reminded us that TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE. You pleaded: GIVE ME A CHANCE, so as to love(IFE) us endlessly.

Xty, all you asked from us was ONE UNDERSTANDING. Because we EVER LIKED MY PERSON, we begged to HEAR THE CALL, again and again. We wished you would be TAKING MY TIME to quell the RUMORS. Sadly, yesterday, His Majesty said ITS’ TIME you returned home. Goodnite our Lady of songs. And thanks for an outstanding 51 years to a grateful nation.

F

ORMER president of Performing Musicians’ Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Mr. Bolaji Rosiji has described life outside PMAN as boring, saying there is nothing like working with creative minds.

“Some of them may look strange and weird, but they are bright brains in the society,” he said, noting that PMAN is a union with grassroots presence.

Rosiji, who was honoured as patron by the state chapter of the association in Lagos along with the Managing Director of Cool FM, Mr. Mosila; Managing Director of Galaxy TV, Mr. Steve Ojo; Mr Martins Onovo, an engineer; Rev. Wale Olubi and Mr. Joe, spoke at the World Music Day celebration and awards night last Saturday.

He cautioned musicians not to allow any individual or organisation to hijack their rights collection, adding that there must be competition. Corroborating Rosiji, Mosila stressed that it would be an uphill task for musicians to get back their rights if they allow it to slip.

“You are the only owner of your music, and you alone can decide who collects your rights. Who owns the music?

You own the music. In Italy, it took over

•Rosiji(left) and Mosila

By Ozolua Uhakheme

10 years to decide the formula for collecting royalty,” he said.

Lagos PMAN Chairman Ras Denis Baker said the successful hosting of the event further demonstrated that “it’s time for business in Lagos PMAN”.

He explained that musicians’ stock-intrade is to create fun and happiness,

“our contribution to the stability and growth of our beloved nation can never be undermined. But all these cannot be achieved without the support and contribution of well-meaning people and organisations.”

He expressed gratitude to Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, for helping to actualise the event through his financial support.

•The late Igbokwe

CELEBRATION OF REDHOT NIGERIAN CREATIVITY IN LAGOS

•Mrs Mbanefor-Obiago and Agwu

•TY Bello (middle), Adeniyi Jones and another guest

•Tee Mac in a performance

•Guests at the screening

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ABUJA REVIEW

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HE definition of street children adopted in the context of the recent celebration of the African Child is that of children under the age of 18 years who spend most of their life on the streets.

There are those who live permanently on the streets. These live and earn their ‘living’ on the streets. There are also those who earn their living on the street but do not necessarily live on the streets.

Death from HIV/AIDS is not only the factor that increases the number of orphans and vulnerable children. Combination of factors such as poverty, ignorance, inadequate healthcare delivery system and low standard of living are some of the factors that increase the number of vulnerable children in Nigeria.

The average life expectancy in Nigeria, according to findings, is 47 years. The implication of this is that there is high tendency for a child to become an orphan before the age of 18 years. Thus, the increase in the number of orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria is inextricably linked with poverty and underdevelopment.

When children become orphans, they depend largely on their next of kin and other public-spirited individuals for their welfare which include shelter; clothing; feeding; education; access to healthcare services; psychological and emotional needs among others.

The comparative ability of orphans and vulnerable children to access household resources depends largely on structural and social set up within the household.

This becomes more difficult when competition for household resources is accentuated by biological and social factors. In this case, the extent to which orphans become vulnerable depends on the extent to which structural process in household could facilitate or inhibit their access to household resources and also on the extent their being deprived of relative to nonorphans.

The situation of orphans in the country, according to many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) needs government’s intervention and legislation in order to protect the right of the less-privileged.

Many orphans in the country have been turned to house helps or slaves in the house of their kin or friends. Many roam the streets during school hours selling one thing or the other for their guardians when their mates are in school.

This may have informed the initiative by some states to domesticate the Child Rights Act in order to protect the children.

It is in line with this that the National Coordinator, Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children NGOs of Nigeria, (AONN), Mrs Grace Dafiel, a Barrister, has accused the Federal Government of playing politics with issues that could cush-

A

S part of its efforts to ensure security of life and property, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has repatriated over 170 beggars arrested from different parts of the city to their respective states.

The repatriated beggars, who were placed in different buses, were taken to states such as Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, and Gombe. Others were taken to Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Plateau and Abia states.

This was a follow-up to government’s directives that operators of parks and gardens in the city should henceforth close by 6:00 p.m.

•Does the government not care enough for them?

‘Govt lacks commitment on children’s issues’ From Gbenga Omokhunu

ion the effects of violence against children.

Mrs Dafiel, who stated this at a briefing in Abuja to mark the 2011 International Day of the African Child and also on the

need to find urgent action against street children phenomenon, said government, at all levels, had not taken interest in solving the problems of Nigerian children despite commitments made on the improvement of child abuse in Nigeria.

Dafiel said: “While one can speak of some kind of political commitment on the

When children become orphans, they depend largely on their next of kin and other public-spirited individuals for their welfare which include shelter; clothing; feeding; education; access to healthcare services; psychological and emotional needs among others

part of government, very little is being done to address the problem of street children.

Part of the tragedy of street children is the way Nigerian government has abandoned them to their fate. With each passing day, it is becoming increasingly clear that Nigeria, a country where the problem is most acute, had been unable to give it the attention it deserves and had, unintentionally, contributed to its continuation.

“The task of helping street children seems Herculean. Clearly, it cannot be achieved simply by injections of money or by mere passage of laws. Mere material improvement trickling down to the community level will not help either.

“All these efforts may even aggravate matters unless they are accompanied by programmes which will allow children •Continued on Page 39

170 beggars sent out of FCT From Bukola Amusan

The repatriation exercise, which was carried out by the Society against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria (SAPCLN) in collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and Social Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration was the largest since the exercise started months ago.

Addressing journalists at the Bwari Rehabilitation Centre where the exercise took place, the Coordinator of SAP-CLN,

Mrs. Grace Adogo explained that based on the state of security in the FCT, the beggars had to go back to their states.

She said: “Because of the current security challenges in the FCT, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nathaniel Abiodun Olorunfemi has directed us to rid the city of street beggars and hawkers. These offences contravene Section 36 of the AEPB Act of 1997.

The beggars, who do not have any identity often, constitute human traffic in the course of begging. They also carry bags

Because of the current security challenges in the FCT, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nathaniel Abiodun Olorunfemi has directed us to rid the city of street beggars and hawkers. These offences contravene Section 36 of the AEPB Act of 1997

the contents we do not know. They even peep into people’s cars while begging for alms.”

While warning the beggars not to return to the city, Mrs. Adogo threatened that they (beggars) would be prosecuted if arrested for the second time.

Also speaking, an Assistant Director at the Social Development Secretariat, Mr. Oludare Atere whose is in charge of Destitution Management, lamented the problem of beggars which, according to him, appears to be getting complex by the day.

He added that the FCT Administration would not relent in its efforts at ensuring that beggars, hawkers and commercial sex workers are flushed out from the streets of Abuja.

Mr. Atere enjoined the beggars to seek rewarding source of livelihood when they get to their respective states of origin.

On his part, the Principal, Bwari Rehabilitation Centre, Comrade Bala Tsoho expressed dismay at the unwillingness of most of the beggars to embrace the FCTA initiative to rehabilitate them at the centre. According to him, those who are into begging have lost their sense of dignity and pride.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

39

ABUJA REVIEW

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N a bid to increase students’ interest in reading and to ensure that reading culture is revitalised in Nigeria, the Initiator of the Read and Earn Campaign, Mr Abdulsalami Ladigbolu has introduced Students of Government Secondary School, Kabusa in the Federal Capital Territory to the act of reading.

The Principal of the school, Mrs. Slyver Inyang while admonishing the students to make good use of the opportunity, said it was only well-read students that are usually well exposed in the world.

Ladigbolu said the initiative was borne out of the need to sensitise the youth especially students on the need to embrace reading culture.

He stated that the Read and Earn Campaign is meant to complement the efforts of government and all advocates of literacy, adding that his team would spread

NGO challenges students on reading culture From Bukola Amusan

this initiative across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

To drive the vision, he promised to stock the library of the barely six-month-old school with books.

He called on other well-meaning Nigerians who love a literate society to join

The initiative was borne out of the need to sensitise the youth especially students on the need to embrace reading culture…The Read and Earn Campaign is meant to complement the efforts of government and all advocates of literacy

‘Govt lacks commitment on children’s issues’ •Continued from Page 38

to develop their potential and by softening punitive attitudes towards street children by authorities.”

Mrs. Dafiel added that the association had assisted many children to get off the street, citing Edo State, where about 35 children had been taken out of the street and were doing perfectly well in their various houses where they were adopted.

She called on the Federal Government to stop ignoring calls for the establishment of a commission for children, even as she stressed the need for adequate policy that would champion the cause of Nigeria chil-

dren.

“It is inconceivable that the welfare of children can be advanced in an environment of increasing mass poverty, conflicts and wars,” she said.

She further noted that the bill for the creation of a commission for children suffered setback in the 6th National Assembly because lawmakers and some stakeholders did not see children’s issue as important.

She canvassed the separation of children issue from that of women.

According to her, women issue tends to eclipse children issues whenever they are put together.

The association also called for the re-

Part of the tragedy of street children is the way Nigerian government has abandoned them to their fate. With each passing day, it is becoming increasingly clear that Nigeria, a country where the problem is most acute, had been unable to give it the attention it deserves and had, unintentionally, contributed to its continuation

view of adoption law in the country by removing it from concurrent legislative list to exclusive list to ensure uniformity and effectiveness.

She said this would assist adoption process of orphans in most of the orphanage homes across the country vis-à-vis the ongoing campaigns against the existence of orphanage home which was necessitated by their poor upbringing of children.

“Improper upbringing, poor living condition of children, living in dilapidated building, all these necessitated the campaign against the operation of orphanage homes. It’s not because of trafficking or abuse.

“There should be a firm commitment by all parties concerned in order to tackle the problem and not just ignore it, hoping that it will just go away or that other people would solve the problem for us,” she said.

Continuing, Mrs Dafiel noted: “We are the ones, you and I; we are the ones who must care for the African child, celebrate their strengths and address their weaknesses and challenges.”

She re-emphasised that it is inconceivable that the welfare of children can be advanced in an environment of increasing mass poverty, conflicts and wars. It is in this regard that efforts must be made to ensure sustainable development on the African Continent.

hands with him so as to eradicate illiteracy in the country.

A Deputy Director in the FCT Education Resource Centre, Mrs. Neemat Abdulraheem who spoke on the Use of Library as Learning Aid encouraged the students to take advantage of the City library located at Wuse, Zone IV, Abuja to improve themselves.

The students of the school expressed their gratitude to the initiator of the campaign.

Highlight of the event was a poem recitation entitled, “A Plea for the Affected” taken by the Ayo Oyeku, Oyo State head of the campaign team after which he explained to the students that reading can make them a genius in their chosen career and also enhance their life.

The Director of Information Resource Centre U.S. Embassy, Abuja; Mrs. Elizabeth Akinbulumu who spoke on the values of reading, encouraged the students to embrace reading culture and see how quickly their dreams would be realised.

Books comprising 100 literature storybooks (novels, poems, and plays), and 106 other reading materials were later presented by the initiator as for the equipment of the school library. Two Oxford Dictionaries were also presented to the school.

Mrs. Inyang, who received the books on behalf of the school, commended the initiator for his vision.

The Etsu of Kwali, Alhaji Shaban Audu urged the students to take full advantage of the gesture to embrace reading and education as a whole.

Yoruba in Abuja get new head From Bukola Amusan

O

BA Musbaudeen Adekale has been installed as the new Oba of the Yoruba in the Federal Capital Ter-

ritory.

The Yoruba community in the Mpape community unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Oba to lead the Yoruba-speaking people in the FCT. He took over from Oba Olusegun Salau.

The new Oba charged the Yoruba community to continue to live in peace among one another so as to bring positive developments to the Yoruba race.

“I want to assure you all that my installation as the new Oba will witness positive changes. I shall ensure that I use all resources within my disposal to enshrine unprecedented achievement, promote the Yoruba culture like never before.

“I encourage us all to be true representatives of Odua residing here in Abuja. We should be mindful of our conducts and never allow ourselves to be used for activities that are detrimental to the peace and stability of our nation,” he said.

I encourage us all to be true representatives of Odua residing here in Abuja. We should be mindful of our conducts and never allow ourselves to be used for activities that are detrimental to the peace and stability of our nation •People walking across Ohan Bridge in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara. The bridge links the state with Oyo State which was closed PHOTO: NAN to vehicular traffic by the Federal Ministry of Works.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

Our overall strategy on agriculture and livelihoods intervention is focusing on providing capacity building in farm accounting, input costing and crop budgeting in order to enhance the capacity of the small-scale farmers...and assist them to become accountable and more prudent

Small-scale farmers boosted in Plateau •Continued from Page 25

“Fourthly, we call for urgent consideration to fast-tracking the review of the Land Use Act in order to secure land rights for women and empower the smallscale Farmers.

“NANTS, at this point wishes to commend the Nigerian government and particularly, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the creation of the current Agriculture Intervention Fund.

CBN has rightly observed the need to assist or awaken the agricultural sector which was already in comatose, and this resulted in the Agric Investment Fund (AIF) of about N200bn. This was welcomed and applauded

by NANTS with a further call making a case for small-scale farmers from whose hoes and machetes about 90% of food production in Nigeria is made possible, and requesting that urgent consideration be given to the allocation of a good percentage of the funds to the small-scale farmers. NANTS was extremely happy when the government through the CBN accorded recognition to the call and announced that 20% of the funds would be dedicated to the smallscale farmers.

“Unfortunately, till date, from our records, we are not sure whether up to 5% of the funds has been accessed by these small-scale farmers.

“In search of a solution to the above, NANTS developed a micro-credit strategy to serve as a practical demonstration and il-

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HE Ore community in Ondo State has welcomed the renewed fight against pipeline vandals in the area, as the Independent Petroleum Marketing Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) inaugurated a new Toyota Hilux van to boost its

lustrations of the workability of the policy’s impact on the poor, especially on how the hurdles of collaterals and documentations could be overcome. A pilot test was undertaken by NANTS with credit disbursed to small-scale farmers in Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states. It is very heartwarming to proudly state that during the recovery, we recorded more than 99.8% recovery. It is based on this confidence that we are challenged to do more, to impact on these lives by sustaining their means of livelihoods. We can be encouraged to do more.

“Our overall strategy on agriculture and livelihoods intervention is focusing on providing capacity building in the area of farm accounting, input costing and crop budgeting in order to first enhance the capacity of the small-scale farmers to calculate and determine their profitability or otherwise, and to assist them becoming accountable and more prudent in the use of funds and their other farming activities.

Parts of the capacity building also include the training on the use of small scale farm technologies and improve farm techniques to boost their productivity.

“After the capacity building, micro-credit is provided and administered to enable them purchase their inputs which includes good seedlings, insecticides, herbicides and fertilizer etc. with the capacity building, the micro credit received is well utilised by the farmers as they are able to keep records.

•Some participants at the workshop

Mr. Wungak Samuel, Chairman, Middle Belt small Scale Farmers Network (MIBSSFANET), Plateau State was full of commendation for the gesture of NANTS president. He said, “We can only commend NANTS for this small but mighty relief. This is the second time Plateau is benefiting from the micro-credit and so far the farmers are confessing of the positive impact of the credit to their family lives. All I will expect is that the beneficiary should make judi-

cious use of the fund for maximum benefit.”

“This is a clear demonstration of our belief that the civil society and the private sector otherwise known as Non-state Actors can really chose to be reliable partners in supporting economic growth and development in this country.

“We are making a bold statement demonstrating that the government of Nigeria can be assisted by non-state actors in dealing with the socio-economic chal-

lenges facing the country and that it is no longer fashionable for civil society and private sector to remain only on the platform of constantly criticizing the government without playing any concrete and practical complementary role especially with regard to community development investment and poverty reduction oriented projects.

The beneficiaries and participants in the workshop were drawn from the 17 local governments of the state.

Fight against pipeline vandalism excites community From Damisi Ojo, Akure

fleet in pipeline monitoring. The cost of the new pipeline monitoring vehicle was put at N5million.

Pipeline vandalism has become a menace particularly at the Ore-Masinmi depot, but the IPMAN leadership in the area is determined to crush it.

•From left: Chairman IPMAN Ore Depot, Chief Olayinka, Financial Secretary, Mrs. Modupe Johnson, PRO Sunday Akindele and the welfare officer at the commissioning of the vehicle

Speaking at the occasion, the chairman, IPMAN Ore depot, Chief Bode Olayinka said NNPC pipeline is the life-wire of any depot, stressing that if not curtailed could seriously undermine the supply of petroleum products.

He said Ore depot supplies petroleum products to Ondo, Ekiti,

Pipeline vandalism has become a menace particularly at the Ore-Masinmi depot, but the IPMAN leadership in the area is determined to crush it

Kogi and parts of Osun states.

The IPMAN chairman said another new vehicle would he supplied to monitor the Wasinmi pipeline to ensure effective monitoring of pipeline vandals.

He described going to Lagos for supply as burdensome and costly, adding that in the olden days, petroleum products were always in full supply to Ore depot.

Olayinka urged the officers saddled with the responsibility of monitoring pipeline vandalism to work efficiently to curb the menace.

Also speaking, the public relations officer (PRO) of IPMAN, Ore depot, Mr. Sunday Akindele and the financial secretary of the association, Erelu Modupe Akindele Johnson praised the new management of IPMAN, Ore Depot under Olayinka’s leadership for its laudable programmes aimed at strengthening the NNPC Ore. They lauded the pragmatism of the chairman and his executive for providing the vehicle, stressing that pipeline vandals will now face a hard time in the OreWasinmi axis.

Over 500 members of IPMAN were at the event held at Sunny Sky Hotel, Ondo town where stakeholders also held a meeting to move the association forward.

SLIDING TACKLE

"Living without my children in Manchester has been incredibly challenging for me. Everything I do, I do for my daughters, Katie and Florencia. I need to be closer to them and to spend more time with them.

I need them to be happy because my life is about them now. I need to be in a place where they can adapt"

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

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Argentine and Manchester City player Carlos Tevez giving reasons why he wants to leave the Eastland Club

Ajax rejects £7m Arsenal bid for top Maarten •Tevez

Man City wants £50m for Tevez M

ANCHESTER City will demand a fee of around £50million for Carlos Tevez to get his wish and leave Eastlands.

City officials have responded to Tevez's latest attempt to sever ties with the club with a resigned shrug.

The Blues hierarchy were anticipating such a move and, given the bad blood which exists between Tevez's trusted advisor Kia Joorabchian and City chief executive Garry Cook and director of football Brian Marwood, it came as no surprise that it was delivered on the day a £7million transfer for Gael Clichy was completed and Partizan Belgrade skipper Stefan Savic arrived for a medical.

Whilst Tevez has cited a desire to spend more time with his two daughters and wife Vanesa as the major reason for his request to leave, City believe it is a smokescreen, despite their acceptance domestic life has not been easy for the South American during four years in Manchester.

There has been no official response to Monday night's announcement from a player currently appearing for Argentina at the Copa America, and it seems there is unlikely to be so just yet.

For City are relaxed in the knowledge that Tevez has three years remaining on a contract that is estimated to be worth in excess of £200,000 a week.

It means they have no reason to allow their skipper to leave on the cheap, and have absolutely no intention of doing so.

At a stroke, the figures involved cut down the number of potential suitors to around half-a-dozen, some of which

have not shown any desire to bid for the player.

Barcelona for instance are currently haggling with Udinese over a price for City target Alexis Sanchez, whilst Chelsea have other areas of the field to address, having already splashed out £50million on Fernando Torres in January.

Both Milan clubs and Real Madrid might be more likely to do a deal and Juventus have previously expressed an interest, even if that would mean Tevez giving up the prospect of Champions League football once more, having spent two years trying to qualify for Europe's number one club competition with City.

It raises the potential for Tevez having to stay in the north-west, although, either

way, there is unlikely to be a speedy resolution to an impasse it is difficult to see being resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.

"I would like to state that I have great respect for the club, its supporters and the owner, Sheikh Mansour, who has been nothing other than respectful to me," said Tevez.

"I hope that the people understand the difficult circumstances I have been living under the past 12 months, in regards to my family.

"Living without my children in Manchester has been incredibly challenging for me.

Everything I do, I do for my daughters, Katie and Florencia. I need to be closer to them and to spend more time with them.

"I need them to be happy

Wladimir takes interest in Fury v Chisora AFTER his comprehensive win over a supine David Haye on Saturday night, Wladimir Klitschko has now turned his attentions to Tyson Fury.

Manchester-based undefeated 6ft 9in Fury who has

•Wladimir

previously trained alongside Klitschko under Emanuel Steward challenges the British and Commonwealth champion Dereck Chisora at Wembley Arena on Saturday 23rd July.

With limited options, Klitschko – who twice pulled out of voluntary defences against Dereck Chisora in the last eight months – is interested in the challenge the pair pose.

Wladimir said: “I tell you something. There is another fight between Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury, two other British fighters that could be interesting for me.”

The "Big Brawl" is set to take place on Saturday 23rd July at Wembley Arena.

because my life is about them now. I need to be in a place where they can adapt."

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Montenegrin Savic would now

appear to be in the final stages of his move, although the deal is likely to be delayed slightly as City attempt to secure a work permit for the defender.

ARSENAL have failed in a £7million bid to sign Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who now looks certain to join Roma.

The 28-year-old has been in discussions with the Serie A giants over a possible transfer when the Gunners stepped in to hijack the move.

The Holland international snubbed Arsenal’s move as he has already verbally agreed to join the Italian side, according to Dutch newspaper AD. The north London side are looking for competition for Polish duo Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski with manuel Almunia set to leave the Emirates this summer.

Veteran Jens Lehmann has already been released and youngster Vito Mannone attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs.

Stekelenburg will now complete the move to the Stadio Olimpico early next week and is another player set to slip through boss Arsene Wenger’s fingers.

Last summer, Liverpool rejected a £20million bid for goalkeeper Pepe Reina and Manchester United won the race to sign Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.

Contempt: Blatter meets Mugabe as MPs attack FIFA conduct

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IFA is under attack again from a Parliamentary select committee who are ‘appalled’ by the widespread allegations of corruption against world football’s discredited ruling body.

As FIFA president Sepp Blatter outraged world opinion by warmly shaking hands with Zimbabwe’s tyrannical leader Robert Mugabe, MPs on the football governance inquiry accused

his organisation of attempting to ‘sweep under the carpet’ all accusations of wrongdoing with a wholly dismissive attitude ‘bordering on contempt’.

And they describe FIFA’s decision to drop the cash-forvotes investigation into arch rogue Jack Warner following his resignation from FIFA’s executive committee as ‘extraordinary’. They say the move ‘suggests nothing has changed’ despite Blatter’s

Djokovic receives hero's welcome in Belgrade WORLD No. 1 and Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic received a rapturous reception on his return to Serbia on Monday.

The Belgrade native was honoured in his hometown as close to 100,000 Serbian tennis fans gathered to welcome him in Parliament Square, where he arrived on an open-top bus that took hours to travel from the airport due to the volume of fans hoping to glimpse him.

Traffic on the motorway ground to a halt as fans stopped their cars to salute the Serb on his way into the city centre, but he eventually arrived to a deafening roar as he leaped onto a specially erected stage,

where rock bands had been entertaining the crowd.

•Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with a cake decorated in the colours of the Serbian flag as he celebrates becoming the new World No. 1 tennis player

promises to clean up the organisation after his unopposed re-election last month.

Song charged with malicious wounding

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LEX SONG has added to Arsenal's troubled summer after being caught up in a late-night bar brawl The 23-year-old midfielder was charged with malicious wounding after being accused of attacking a student while on holiday in his home town of Douala in Cameroon last month.

Song's representatives told a court hearing he did not touch the student but he faces two years in prison if found guilty.

The revelation comes as Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wrestles with the prospect of Samir Nasri, Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas following Gael Clichy out of the Emirates.

The alleged victim Ludovic Achille Mouaha told an initial hearing: 'I was with my girlfriend. She went to the bathroom but when she hadn't come back after 15 minutes I went to see if something had happened.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

43

MONEY HALF YEAR REVIEW

Banks not yet out of the woods The banking sector was full of expectation at the beginning of the year. Can these expectation be said to have been met in the past six months? COLLINS NWEZE asks.

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HE banking sector was still not sufficiently healthy or devoid of the challenges limiting its performance as the half year drew to a close last week. Not even a single merger or acquisition was concluded, even as disagreements between shareholders of the rescued banks and management remained unresolved.

“The banking sector is still not fully healthy. We did not see new ownership of the rescued banks as promised by the regulator. It is only when the issue is resolved and the Central Bank becomes less active in the management of the banks that we can envisage a reliable financial services sector,” Former Executive Director, Bank PHB, Richard Obire, said.

The Managing Director, Financial Nigeria International, Jide Akintunde, said the full effects of the policies unveiled by the apex bank within the last two quarters will trickle into the banking sector in quarter three. These policies, especially the lifting of bans on government bonds, he said, will have big effects on banks’ balance sheets and determine business directions in the remaining part of the year. “The economy is taking a leap forward, and that will affect positively, banks’ balance sheets and their ability to meet stakeholders’ targets,” he said.

Corporate governance expert, Salami Oladele said results declared by the banks show gradual return to profitability, but many of such profits came from recovered loans. The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is putting pressure on the debt recovery agents to recover more funds from debtors.

Analysts insist that the apex bank opened up several policies during the quarter. Ben Otua, Financial Analyst based in Lagos said banks should focus on resolution of pending mergers and acquisition plans in the sector in the third quarter.

For him, it is only when this is concluded that the benefits of the reforms will be fully realised. He said getting the banks out of the woods will require more than churning out new policies, but critically looking at ways of implementing them.

For instance, to widen the finan-

cial landscape, the apex bank approved requests from 17 deposit money banks for new licences meant to ensure better minimum capital standards. The apex bank said it had granted approval in principle to nine banks to operate as international lenders, which require minimum capital of N50 billion. Six banks have been granted approval for national licences, with a minimum capital requirement of N25 billion, while two banks have been approved as regional banks, which can operate in six to 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states and are required to have a minimum of N10 billion capital.

The apex bank also mandated banks to henceforth, establish Agricultural Departments, Units and Desks in their head, regional and zonal offices. The policy which is in line with the apex bank’s commitment to facilitate lending to the sector to at least five per cent of banks’ total loan portfolio, gives the banks six months from May 26, to comply with the new order or be sanctioned.

The banks are also expected to appoint qualified agricultural graduates and other professionals with relevant experience to handle associated lending activities. The new segments shall comprise of Business Plan Unit as well as Development and Advisory Unit.

The CBN has also mandated a 10digit number to promote best practice in the account number scheme and also eliminate many of the problems associated with the Automated Clearing House (ACH) as well as the electronic payment system generally. It had explained that the proposed NUBAN was a 10-digit Bank Account Number format, with A Check Digit built to help a modulus check, which enables the presenting bank to perform checks. The Check Digit, according to the apex bank, was derived from an algorithm that operates on a combination of the 3digit CBN-assigned Bank Code and the 9-digit Account Serial Number.

Reviving the Financial Sector But the apex bank, within the quarter, said N1.7 trillion is needed

to revive the nation’s financial system. The fund will be drawn from the Banking Sector Resolution Cost Fund, otherwise called the Sinking Fund, rather than the national treasury. The 24 banks, and the CBN have been designated to contribute 0.3 per cent of their total assets and N50 billion per annum respectively to the fund.

Speaking at the Capital Market Committee of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) meeting in Lagos, CBN Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability, Kingsley Moghalu said as the global economy takes steps to put the financial crises behind them, the apex bank has put up the scheme to stabilize the country’s financial system. The fund, which will be remitted to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), will be ongoing for the next 10 years.

Moghalu said it is obvious the capital market is largely affected by the state of the banking sector and thus, the reforms undertaken in the banking sector by the CBN will complement the on-going reforms in the capital market being undertaken by SEC. He said the CBN will continue to collaborate with the SEC to adopt appropriate measures to ensure that the financial system is stable and well equipped to stimulate economic growth.

Islamic Banking comes on board The operations of Islamic Banking were also put in perspective in the second quarter. The apex bank issued guidelines for the establishment and operation of Islamic banking in the country with a requirement that all funds coming into such banks from abroad must be fully screened to avoid money laundering and terrorism financing.

The apex bank expects promoters to screen shareholders, customers, counterparts, transactions, products and activities against the proceeds of crime, corruption, financing of terrorism and other illicit activities using legal and moral filters. The apex bank added that all funds to be received either from

• From left: Facility Manager/Senior Operations Officer, IFC, Mr Riadh Naouar; Team Leader/Legal Specialist, IFC, Brian Kirungi and Chairman, Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria, Kehinde Lawanson, at an event in Lagos.

investors or depositors must be approved, not only by the bank but also by security agencies. The guidelines required that anyone desiring to go into the model of banking must state clearly that it would operate under the Islamic laws.

The CBN said it would come up with other guidelines in the conduct of banking under the principles of Islamic commercial jurisprudence such as operational, corporate governance, product compliance, risk management and capital adequacy.

The apex bank said non-interest banking is not restricted to Islamic banking, but also include other forms of non-interest banking not based on Islamic principle. “This is in accordance with the provisions of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) which clearly provides for the two variants of non-interest banking,” the apex bank said in a statement.

CBN Pegs Forex sale at $250,000 The apex bank also unfolded a policy limiting sale of forex to bureau de change (BDC) to $250,000 per week. Chief Executive Officer Bluewall Bureau De Change Limited, Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the apex bank would have done analytical study of the market and understood the benefits of such act.

He said that the WDAS rate and that of the interbank have been widening in recent months, and it is expected that the policy will reduce the wide gap in both transactions.

Another dealer, Mohammed Idris said the policy will make create accountability and restrict dealers from unwholesome practices. It will also help the apex bank to keep better records of the transaction volume within the time frame.

Before the takeoff of the policy on June 24, the interbank rates eased to 11.08 per cent on average from 12.5 per cent after the disbur-

• Mallam Lamido

sal of N243 billion in budgetary allocations to government agencies.

CBN places limit on cash transactions Within the quarter, the apex bank also limited daily cash withdrawal and lodgments by individuals to N150,000 and N1 million by corporate organisations. The regulator said it took the step to curb the dominance of cash in the economy with its implication for cost of cash management to the banking industry, security and money laundering. The policy is effective June 1, 2012.

CBN Director, Currency Operations Department, Muhammad Nda said the bank decided on this after a combined meeting with the Bankers Committee where it was agreed that the policy be adopted to reduce the high usage of cash, moderate the cost of cash management and encourage the use of electronic payment channels.

The CBN said that from the above date, organisations that make cash transactions above the limits will be charged a penal fee of N100 per thousand and N200 per thousand respectively for amounts above the cumulative limits. Also, contravention of this policy will attract a fine of five times the amount that the bank waives as a first offender. But further contraventions will cost the bank 10 times the charges waived.

BPP okays budget limit for MDAs

T

HE Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has approved budget implementation plans for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

BPP Director-General Emeka Ezeh said only projects, which are to cost more than N1 billion are expected to be awarded “No Objection Certificate”, while consultancy services in excess of N100 million are due to be awarded the “Due Process” certificate.

MDAs, he said, have a substantial responsibility to play in the implementation of the budget, given that a good part of the budget does not require BPP certificate before implementation.

He promised that BPP would no longer delay budget implementation. “MDA responsibility is also enormous because people want situations where they can give jobs to their own cronies, to their own church or mosque members, members of their community, and members of their old boys to justify the position they are holding at the expense of the general public,” he said.

Ezeh said the agency has brought transparency and accountability to its operations. “What the Procurement Act is saying is that if you consider yourself competent you

should put the advert of procurement for public domain and comply with all the rules. Anyone who wins has won. You don’t have to know me or know anybody because we are Nigerians and should have equal access to opportunities,” he said.

He reminded MDAs that the agency was set up to among other things help the government achieve value for money spent on procurement. “We have been working with MDAs to ensure that this is achieved. We have been able to achieve this by ensuring that costs of procurement proposals are reasonable. These funds saved would go a long way in solving various other national problems.

So the government has achieved value for money and has been able to make some savings,” he said.

He said the BPP is trying to build a system where everybody will be a check for the other and where all the contractors know the rules, like playing football. “If you play football, the spectators, the referee, the players, everybody knows the rule and so when a foul is committed and when the referee makes a mistake either for or against a particular team, everybody knows and the crowd will boo that this man is wrong,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

44

MONEY

Banks review fixed deposit, other rates T

O entice customers, banks have reviewed upward some of their transaction rates following an increase in Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) from two to four per cent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

CRR is the deposit, which banks are required to keep with CBN in line with regulatory demands.

The Nation learnt that many banks have increased their fixed deposit rates to woo big-time customers, and further buoy their operations.

For instance, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) branch located within the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo Campus has increased

By Akinola Ajibade its fixed deposit rate from 2.75 to 3.75 per cent for customers who want to deposit between N1 million and N10 million for 90 days.

Also, the bank has raised the time deposit rate for customers with below N1 million from one to 1.5 per cent.

Also, a branch of Wema Bank in Iyana Oba, Lagos, increased its fixed-deposit rate from one to 1.5 per cent for customers willing to deposit between N1 million and N10 million. It increased the fixed deposit rate for customers with between N10 million and N49

million from two to three per cent, while those with N50 million and above got 3.5 per cent.

Guaranty Trust Bank (Marina Branch) has slightly increased its fixed deposit rate from three to 3.5 per cent for customers that are depositing N10 million, while offering three per cent to customers who want to deposit N1 million.

Intercontinental Bank, Ladipo Branch, has moved its fixed deposit rate from five to eight per cent for depositors with N1 million.

Diamond Bank (also in Ladipo) raised its rate from three to 3.5 per

cent for depositors with N1 million; those with between N1 million and N10 million are giving 4.5 per cent, instead of four per cent hitherto offered them.

Zenith Bank, Marina, Lagos has slightly adjusted its fixed deposit rate from one to 1.5 per cent for depositors with N1 million.

Sterling Bank (Obalende branch) offers depositors that want to keep their money for 30 days 4.5 per cent, while those that want to deposit N10 million for 90 days will get 5.5 per cent. Customers that want to deposit between N50 million and N100 million for (90 days) are offered 7.5 per cent.

Union Bank (Obalende branch), raised its rates from two to 4.5 per cent for depositors saving N1 million. It has increased the rate of depositors with N.1 million from 1.5 to four per cent.

An official of the bank, who craved anonymity, said the rates were very low until recently when the bank raised it to win more patronage.

She said CBN has given benchmark rates for fixed deposit transactions, adding that banks are allowed to offer higher rates on the condition that they have the capacity to support their charges.

Speaking on the issue, the Execu-

tive Secretary, Financial Dealers Markets Association of Nigeria (FDMAN), Mr Akinwale Abe, said the review of CRR and the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) has affected the operations of banks.

He said CBN wanted to attack inflation by increasing CRR from two to four per cent, adding that the development has impacted on the liquidity positions of the banks.

Abe said: “The review of the MPR, CRR among other regulatory rates, made banks to increase their deposit rates to get more funds for their operations. You would notice that foreign exchanges have favoured naira now.

All these resulted from the adjustment of monetary policy rates by the apex bank.”

Similarly, a senior lecturer with Lagos Business School, Dr Austin Nwezie, said the situations in banks are a reflection of the review of the monetary policy rates carried out by the CBN. “With increase in CRR, and the subsequent increase of banks’ deposits with CBN, the only option left for banks is to increase their deposit rates, and make more money for their operations,” he added

GTBank grows deposits to N600b

G

• Dr Wolfgang Feller of Braun Avitum (left) presenting an award to Mr Remi Adeseun, Chairman, Rodot Nigeria Limited, Heritage City of Prague, Czech Republic.

Banks assets to rise under Basel III rule

B

ANK for International Settlement (BIS) has said that bank’s capital will rise.

The Basel III capital rules are scheduled to be phased in from 2013 through 2019. The BIS is the parent organisation of the Basel committee and the Group of Governors and Heads of Supervision, which oversees the committee’s work.

Under Basel III, banks will be obliged to hold core Tier 1 Capital equivalent to seven per cent of their risk-weighted assets, compared with two percent under the previous international rules. As many as 30 of the world’s largest banks will be required to hold the additional capital under the plans agreed, meaning they may have to hold as much as 9.5 per cent in reserve.

The Basel rules constitute “minimum requirements”that individual countries can exceed, the BIS said, mirroring calls by several European Union finance ministers, including George Osborne, that national regulators

should be left free to toughen the rules for their banks.

That stance is in contrast to draft plans prepared by the European Commission for applying Basel III in Europe that would leave national regulators limited flexibility to add extra rules on a case by case basis.

The BIS also called for lenders to be forbidden from taking advantage of the 2013 through 2019 phase-in period for Basel III to increase dividend payments.

“Banks should not be permitted to increase their capital distributions simply because the deadline for achieving the minimum standards is still some way off,” the BIS said. This applies “particularly if there are signs of growing macroeconomic risks and imbalances.”

The BIS advised banks across the world to raise their financial standings before a series of deadlines starting in 2013. Regulators should also play a stronger role in supervising banks to ensure they operate within agreed capital levels and balance risk, BIS

said.

“Countries should move faster if their banks are profitable and able to apply the standards without having to restrict credit,” the Basel, Switzerland-based BIS, said. National regulators should treat the rules, known as Basel III, as a “minimum” standard that they can surpass if they wish.

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s requirements, which will more than triple the core reserves that banks must hold to protect themselves from insolvency, are “the core regulatory response to problems revealed by the financial crisis.

Global central bank governors have agreed on extra capital rules for banks whose size or systemic importance means their failure could cause another financial crisis. Regulators agreed that as many as 30 of the world’s largest lenders should face surcharges that range from one percentage point to as much as 2.5 percentage points of core capital to prevent them from causing another financial crisis.

UARANTY Trust Bank Plc has grown its deposits from N50 billion to N600 billion within nine years. This has translated to 1,200 per cent growth in deposits.

The bank, in a statement, said it recorded the growth during the tenure of its late managing director, Mr Tayo Aderinokun.

Aderinokun’s tenure covered between August 2002 to June 2011.

According to the bank, shareholders’ fund grew from N10 billion to N200 billion during the period, representing 2000 per cent increase. Other achievements credited to the leadership of the late banker were the increase in the stock market value of the bank from N8 billion to N400 billion, and the profit after tax from N4 billion to N35 billion.

The statement said that the bank was able to internationalise its operations through Aderinokun-led management team.

“Gradually, the bank also became an internationally recognised institution with a branch in London, and subsidiaries in Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Innovations such as GTConnect, Slip free, the Naira MasterCard and DriveThrough banking were introduced

• Acting Managing Director GTBank, Segun Agbaje

By Akinola Ajibade to ensure that banking became a more pleasurable experience for the public,” it said.

It said the bank pioneered the foray of Nigerian banks into the international capital markets, by raising funds from the international markets and becoming the first Nigerian company and the first African bank to be listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

Bank embarks on tree planting

A

CCESS Bank Plc has re-affirmed its commitment to reducing the effect of global warming with the commencement of the second phase of its Going Green; Beyond Words campaign in Niger and Sokoto states.

A statement from the bank said the tree planting campaign, was recently launched in both states, with “Green Starter” toolkits distributed to participating schools/students to promote enlightenment about the wide variety of trees that support environmental sustainability.

Going Green; Beyond Words, according to the statement, is designed to improve the environment by helping to moderate the climate, improve air quality and support neighbourhood beautification.

Speaking on the initiative, Ojini

Olaghere, the Group Head, Enterprise Business Support Group said: “This corporate commitment is the first of its kind in Nigeria and we are excited to join forces with the Nigerian public school system and Idea Builders Initiative on the erasure of our carbon footprint. We have broadened our horizons to cover Niger and Sokoto states”.

“We hope not only to help towards reducing the annual haze that blankets the region, but also contribute to protecting and preserving the natural environment as an invaluable asset. At Access Bank Plc, we see it is as part of our social responsibility to protect and preserve that environmental as best we can, and the this initiative - Going Green; Beyond Words, is designed to achieve these objectives,” she added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

45

THE NATION’S INVESTORS Briefs John Holt chief makes case for real sector GENERAL Manager, Treasury, John Holt Plc Mr. Patrick Udoye has advised government to establish a sustainable framework to enable key players in the economy access loans at reduced rates.

The provision of low-interest access to capital will boost productivity, job creation and energise the economy’s growth.

He called on government to address the epileptic power supply to assist manufacturers in reducing their production costs, pointing out that energy costs constitute a large proportion of production cost.

Speaking after he was conferred with the fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Udoye said stable power supply would ultimately lead to reduction in prices of goods and services thus further stimulating demand and productivity.

"The major challenge is the high cost of funding. Most conglomerates have to borrow because of the high working capital needed to keep operations going. There are usually some huge capital projects that you just have to borrow to fund," Udoye noted.

According to him, a situation where companies buy diesel at the cost of N200 per litre makes it difficult to sustain meaningful operations.

In his remarks at the conferment ceremony, President, CIBN, Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, said Udoye and other awardees were honoured because they had over the years imbibed, propagated and supported the objectives, ideals and culture of the institute and the banking profession.

He noted that Udoye particularly has demonstrated professional skill, competence, expertise and ethical standards in the course of his duties.

Second half: Stock market set for rebound

M

OST investment managers and analysts have said the stock market might witness significant rebound in the second half of the year, citing expected stability in the macro economy and potential returns by quoted companies.

The stock market closed the first half with a marginal average return of 0.85 per cent, with the benchmark All Share Index, the common value-based index that measures price changes on all listed companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), closing at 24, 980.20 points as against its opening index of 24,770.52 points.

Aggregate market capitalisation of quoted companies also closed first half at N7.988 trillion, representing an increase of 0.93 per cent or N74 billion on 2011's opening market value of N7.914 trillion.

Market analysts however, said the downtrend that characterised the first half of the year had placed the market in a good position for strong rebound.

Investment managers and analysts at Cowry Assets Management Limited, Sterling Capital Limited, GTI Capital Limited, Afrinvest (West Africa) among others said the outlook for the market in the second half would be better than the first half.

However, most analysts were silent on the potential full-year return for the stock market this

By Taofik Salako

year. The stock market had returned average gain of about 20 per cent in 2010.

Managing director, Cowry Assets Management Limited, Mr Johnson Chukwu, said the market would witness improvement in investors' sentiment in the second half as the new presidential cabinet assumes office with the five point agenda in focus.

He added that the expected final resolution of the recapitalisation of the rescued banks and increased inflow of foreign investment would stimulate the market, pointing out that the recent liberalisation of investment on government securities should limit pressure on the Naira.

"Overall, the Nigeria equity market should witness gradual recovery as bond trading becomes more volatile with likely reduction in yields," Chukwu said.

He attributed the slowdown in the market in the first half to the heightened political risk occasioned by the April elections and the challenging macro economic situation, which saw the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) grappling to control both inflation and exchange rate at the same time.

He noted that the several increases in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) had negative impact on the equity market while the inconclusive nature of the rescued

banks' recapitalisation process continued to send negative signals to stakeholders and prospective investors.

Shareholders' leader and investor, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo said the performance of the market in the first half was not a surprise given the extent of past irregularities and erosion of investors' confidence.

He however, expressed optimism that the second half of the year might see a gradual recovery, adding that investors need to remain cautious because the market may take some time to fully correct itself and stabilise.

Economist and investment adviser at Sterling Capital, Sewa Wusu, said many stocks had been undervalued by the generally negative market situation in the first half, noting that such stocks would form the fulcrum of market recovery in the third quarter.

Analysts said they expected investors to start taking positions in many relatively undervalued stocks, especially many banking and petroleum-marketing stocks that had been driven to new lows by the recent bearish cycle.

Analysts advised investors to maintain a medium to long-term investment horizon and focus on stocks with good fundamentals and high growth potential in order to hedge against short-term fluctuations and corrections within the pricing cycle.

Forecasts Q3 COMPANY FORECASTS Q3 Tripple Gee and company Plc Turnover N166.09m PAT N74.59m MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC Gross Premium N3.750b PAT N889.68m NIGER INSURANCE PLC Gross Premium N2.039b PAT N72.93m CUTIX PLC Turnover N588m PAT N68.75million HONEYWELL FLOUR MILLS PLC Turnover N21.214b PAT N835.646m JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC Turnover N120.800 billion PAT N3.390 billion DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Turnover N150 million LBT N90.55 million BETA GLASS PLC Turnover N2.859 Billion PAT N373.98 million MRS OIL PLC Turnover N80.560 billion PAT N1.740 billion

Nestle, Chinese firm eye $2bn deal

A.G. LEVENTIS PLC Turnover N4.719 billion PAT N167.83 million

NESTLE, the world's largest food company, is among companies in talks with Chinese candies and pastries group Hsu Fu Chi International on a deal that could be worth over $2 billion.

Hsu Fu Chi, which has a market capitalization of about $2.6 billion, said it has engaged in preliminary discussions with Nestle for a possible deal that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the shares of the company.

"We won't deny they are one of the companies that we've been in touch with, but they are not the only one," Hsu Fu Chi spokeswoman, Christine Sun, said by telephone, referring to Nestle.

Nestle spokeswoman Nina Backes declined to give further details on the nature of the talks.

Analysts said it would make sense for Nestle to buy a company in an emerging market due to sluggish sales at home.

However, acquisition deals in China are often tough to complete because they are subject to approvals from Chinese authorities, which have rejected deals before.

One such rejected deal was Coca Cola's 2009 bid for juice maker China Huiyuan.

"We believe that the deal with Hsu Fu Chi would make sense.

Nestle stated several times that it intended to increase its exposure in the emerging markets to 45 percent of sales by 2020," Vontobel bank's analyst Jean-Philippe Bertschy said.

GRIEF NIGERIA PLC Turnover N7.230 billion PAT N1.861 Billion UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Turnover N1.335 billion PAT N241.3 million •From left: Managing Director, Mr Ganiyu Lawal, Chairman, Chief Clement Olowokande, Company Secretary, Mrs. Pheola Caulcrick and Executive Director, Tor Nygard, all from Berger Paints Nigeria Plc at the company's 51st Annual General Meeting in Lagos recently.

Regulators plan more stringent rules for brokers F

INANCIAL services regulators may impose more stringent rules on stockbrokers operations to ensure they play their roles as intermediaries in the capital market effectively.

Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Dr Kingsley Moghalu dropped this hint after he delivered a lecture to the Capital Market Committee of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

He said CBN has made some suggestions to the Senate noting: "The truth is we have made a recommendation but you should expect to also make sacrifice, which will be the price you will pay to get what you want to be able to once again perform your responsibilities as brokers.”

A source close to the regulators said the planned stringent condi-

By Tonia Osundolire

tions given could either be in form of sanction or with recommendation of mergers to meet up a new capital base, which may throw some firms out of business.

Recently, the brokers have been calling on the Federal Government to give them a lifeline through a window just as the aviation, agriculture and entertainment industries have benefited.

The President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Mike Itegboje in a chat with The Nation, said the government should create liquidity for the capital market through an open window of N200 billion for operators to access.

He explained that the government needs to bring liquidity back to the market just like the US government helped to reactivate their stock market.

Itegboje said such fund would be used to bail out the capital market and will be accessed by investors and managed by the CBN. He added that for investors to access the money, they will be made to make available certain documents through their brokers that will be vetted by the CBN. Itegboje said such fund should be available at a minimal interest to market makers, who can buy out foreign investors when the need arises to checkmate a possible reoccurrence of the last financial meltdown.

“If we don't have liquidity, the market will continue the way it is,” Itegboje said.

ACADEMY PRESS PLC Turnover N679.72 million PAT N26.13 million NBC PLC Turnover N23.595 billion PAT N100 million VONO PRODUCTS PLC Turnover N300 million PAT N0.272 million GOLDLINK INS GROSS PREMIUM N3.375b PAT N522.54m REGENCY ALLIANCE GROSS PREMIUM N943.77m PAT N187.6m

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

46

THE NATION’S INVESTORS Why we want lo list Oando marketing separately, by Tinubu ANDO Plc has said it would list the marketing arm of the energy group as a separate company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in the last quarter of the year to unlock potential value in the downstream business for shareholders.

Oando, which comprises of downstream oil business, upstream operations and other subsidiaries dealing in many facets of the energy business, is currently listed on the NSE as a single unit.

Group Managing Director of Oando, Mr Wale Tinubu said the petroleum-marketing company has already become independent and stable and could operate as a stand alone entity.

According to him, listing of the marketing segment of the company will give shareholders the opportunity to compare with others in the petroleum marketing sector of the NSE. “If the company is doing well in the market, shareholders will be able to compare and it will also give further scrutiny among peers.

Oando is the only company in the region of N40 billion market capitalisation among its peers. The marketing arm represents 25 per cent of

O

By Tonia Osundolire

the group,” Tinubu said.

He said the company was the largest distributor of fuel and domestic natural gas in the country noting that the large number of subsidiaries showed the different businesses of the group. “We have to have special purpose driven companies as they come. There is different tax regime in different places. For example, under gas it is tax free for the first seven years. We can not put our gas assets in Oando marketing limited because it pays certain percent of its profit on annual basis.”

So we need to form a company which holds the gas assets. But the gas assets are still managed by this same board and management team," Tinubu said.

He said the option of disseminating information through electronic means was to take advantage of the technology development across the globe in improving the lives of its shareholders pointing out that the company prints as much as over 300,000 materials for the general meeting and spends about N30 million annually for posting this information to the shareholders.

Firm declares dividend, bonus

E

XCITED shareholders of Smart Products Nigeria Plc unanimously approved recommendations by the board of directors for a combined cash dividend and bonus issue.

They expressed satisfaction with the performance of the company.

At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company at its corporate head office in Lagos, shareholders considered and approved the audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Chairman, Smart Products Nigeria Plc Sir Simeon Oguntimehin proposed the dividend of 12 kobo per share for every shareholder and a bonus issue of one new share for every four held before the closure of the company’s register of members on June 27, 2011.

He attributed the improved results of the company last year to the efficiency of its management team and the board’s deliberate decision not to go into investments they are not sure of its level of profitability.

He assured shareholders and all stakeholders that the board would watch for the right signal before proposing any new business for the company.

By Uyoatta Eshiet

He noted that before venturing into any new business, the business environment in the country would be taken into consideration, pointing out that he was not ready to lose any kobo through wrong investments.

Audited report and accounts of the company showed that total turnover increased from N17.356 million recorded in 2009 to N24.102 million in 2010, indicating a growth of N6.746 million or 38.87 per cent.

The company’s profit before taxation rose by 41.81 per cent, from N4.514 million to N6.401 million. Similarly, profit after taxation and total net assets increased by 52.98 per cent and 34.77 per cent respectively.

Earnings per share rose from 9.75 kobo to 14.91 kobo. Total net assets increased to 212.61 kobo in 2010, up from 157.76 kobo in the previous year, while dividend payout rose from 9.0 kobo to 12 kobo in 2010.

A total amount of N4.320 mil-

lion was earmarked for distribution as dividends for 2010 business year as against N3.240 million in 2009.

The company, since 2009 had been depending solely on rental income and profit on investments to survive. It stopped the business of palm kernel oil processing it started in 2004 due to sustained losses recorded,” said the Chairman.

The foreign (non-resident) shareholders control 20 per cent of the company’s stake while the rest are held by Nigerians.

Answering question on the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) which is taking effect from 2012 financial year as announced by securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) demanding all companies especially companies quoted and trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) platform, Sir Simeon Oguntimehin, assured stakeholders that the company will comply fully with all regulative directives.

Facts to Facts

Dangote Sugar vs Flour Mills: A miller and a sweetener

D

ANGOTE Sugar Refinery (DSR) Plc and Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc are two of the largest food and beverages companies in Nigeria. Both companies are flagships of large food and beverages structures and derive quite much synergy from inter-company operations. DSR and Flour Mills are influential stocks in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Food and Beverages Index. Largely dependent on the global market for inputs, they face almost similar macroeconomic challenges. However, five-decade old Flour Mills is an older and relatively larger company while DSR started as a stand-alone company six years ago.

Sales generation Both DSR and Flour Mills have sustained top-line growth in recent years. Flour Mills leads in terms of significance of growth rate but DSR is better placed in terms of year-on-year progression. Flour Mills grew sales by 15 per cent in 2010 as against 41 per cent increase in 2009, indicating two-year average growth of about 28 per cent.

DSR's sales growth averages about 5.7 per cent in the last two years, although at 9.2 per cent, turnover growth in 2010 quadrupled 2.1 per cent growth recorded in 2009. The top-line performance for the two companies in 2010 showed the sales constraint that characterised the performance of most consumer goods manufacturers.

Profitability The two companies showed a clearly contrasting profit outlook. While the flour-milling company has seen a significant rebound in profitability, the sugar-refining company has consistently witnessed decline in profitability. Compared with average pre-tax profit growth rate of 151 per cent for Flour Mills, DSR's profit before tax has dropped by an average of about 26 per cent over the past two years.

However, on the face of it, sugar-refining appeared to be more profitable than flour-mill-

By Taofik Salako

ing given the accruable margin on unit of sales.

With almost 100 per cent growth in gross profit, Flour Mills quadrupled pre-tax profit by 347 per cent in 2010. After taxes, distributable earnings attributable to shareholders were higher by 333 per cent.

Flour Mills showed stronger inherent profit-making capacity with appreciable improvements in key underlying ratios. Gross profit margin improved from 13 per cent in 2009 to 22 per cent in 2010, representing average rate of about 18 per cent over a twoyear period. Pre-tax profit margin also shot above the average at 12 per cent in 2010 as against 3.0 per cent in 2009 and two-year average rate of 7.4 per cent.

DSR has shown a flagging performance in recent years. Gross profit dropped by about 13 per cent in 2010, triggering 18 per cent contraction in pre-tax profit.

The top-down downtrend shaved

•Dangote, Chairman, Sugar Refinery

Dangote

off more than 14 per cent from shareholders' net earnings in 2010. Pre and post -tax profits had dropped by 35 per cent and 40 per cent respectively in 2009.

Facts to Facts

Dangote Sugar

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2010 % 9.2 -12.8 -17.6 20.1 17.9 -14.4 18.1 27.6

2009 % 2.1 -35 25.2 23.8 -39.7 17 31.7

Beyond the surface, gross margin fell below average in 2010 at 20.1 per cent as against 25.2 per cent in 2009. Pre-tax profit followed the same trend dropping from 24 per cent in 2009 to 18 per cent in 2010.

Actual Returns The returns outlook of the companies also showed similar trend to the profit outlooks. While Flour Mills has grown returns significantly, DSR has maintained almost a low trend. With average return of 10.5 per cent over the past two years, Flour Mills showed a better utilisation of assets in 2010 with a return on assets of 17 per cent as against 4.0 per cent in 2009. Actual return to shareholders, the providers of equity capital, rose from 10 per cent in 2009 to 31 per cent in 2010, indicating a two-year average of about 21 per cent.

On the other hand, DSR's actual return to shareholders fell below average at about 28 per cent in 2010 compared with about 32 per

cent in 2009 and two-year average of about 30 per cent. However, return on assets improved to 18 per cent in 2010 compared with 17 per cent in 2009.

The Bottom-line Undoubtedly, manufacturing companies such as Flour Mills and DSR have been at the receiving end of the global and national economic depression and financial crises.

Poor national infrastructures, which have seen most institutions especially manufacturers, and even individuals, functioning as the state generating all basic amenities have compounded the vagaries in the global market.

This combination has left most Nigerian manufacturers vulnerable. But companies such as Flour Mills appeared to have mastered the operating environment.

Age, institutional strengths and diversity appeared to be on the side of Flour Mills.

Flour Mills Average % 5.65 -6.4 -26.3 22.65 20.85 -27.05 17.55 29.65

Pre-tax profit margin (DSR)

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2010 % 14.7 99.6 346.7 22.3 11.8 333 17 31

2009 % 41.1 -44.6 12.8 3.0 -39.8 4.0 10.3

Average % 27.9 49.80 151.05 17.55 7.4 146.6 10.5 20.65

Pre-tax profit margin (Flour Mills)

47

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

THE NATIONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INVESTORS Corporate Score Board

D

IAMOND Bank Plc combined robust growth in incomes, better credit risks management and improved cost management to return to profitabilitylast year at replaced a N12 billion loss in 2009 with profit of about N5 billion. Audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended December 31, 2010 showed appreciable improvements in key core banking and corporate performance measurements.

Compared with the pervading trend of contraction in gross earnings in the banking industry, Diamond Bank recorded significant growth in both core banking and non- core banking incomes. Underlying indices showed improvements in the bank's capital adequacy, profitability and assets quality with profit margin on core banking operations improving by four percentage points to 57 per cent.

However, the bank witnessed a slowdown in deposit generation and lending activities during the year, ostensibly as a result of new credit risks assessment implemented during the year.

Capital adequacy Diamond Bank's capital adequacy improved in 2010 with better equity supports for business operations. Shareholders' funds increased to about 18 per cent of total assets in 2010 as against 16 per cent in 2009. Shareholders funds could now also finance 35 per cent of loans and advances in contrast with about 33 per cent in 2009. The proportion fixed assets to equity funds also reduced from 36 per cent in 2009 to 35 per cent in 2010.

The bank's paid up share capital had remained at N7.24 billion in the past two years. However, shareholders' funds inched up from N105.65 billion in 2009 to N106.63 billion in 2010. With declines in both earnings and fixed assets, total assets dropped by 8.5 per cent to N594.8 billion in 2010 as against N650.4 billion in 2009.

Total liabilities also dropped by 10 per cent from N544.30 billion in

Diamond Bank: Making steady progress

By Taofik Salako

2009 to N487.7 billion in 2010, reflecting partly 15 per cent decline in deposits from N482 billion in 2009 to N412 billion in 2010.

Assets quality Diamond Bank witnessed appreciable improvement in quality of its risk assets as indicated by reduction in proportion of non-performing loans to gross loans portfolio. Non-performing loans dropped by 25 per cent to N51.12 billion in 2010 as against N68.23 billion in 2009. Gross loans and advances stood at some N345 billion in 2010 compared with N378 billion in 2009. Thus, the proportion of non-performing loans to total loans and advances reduced from 18 per cent in 2009 to about 15 per cent in 2010. Classified risk assets posed less threat with classified loans/equity funds ratio at 48 per cent in 2010 compared with about 65 per cent in 2009.

Profitability Diamond Bank saw a strong rebound in profitability in the immediate past year with actual profit and loss figures and beyond-thesurface profitability ratios indicating a generally positive profit outlook. The bank's expansive business growth saw a 34 per cent increase in gross earnings to N91 billion in 2010 as against N68 billion in 2009. Core-banking interest incomes had grown by 29 per cent from N50.7 billion in 2009 to N65.3 billion in 2010. Non-interest incomes rose more rapidly at N25.2 billion in 2010 as against N16.6 billion in 2009, representing an increase of about 52 per cent. The proportion of non-interest income to total revenue thus improved from 25 per cent in 2009 to 28 per cent in 2010. With 35 per cent reduction in interest expense from N24.9 billion in 2009 to N16.3 billion in 2010, net interest incomes shot up by 90 per cent from N25.9 billion in 2009

â&#x20AC;˘MD Alex Otti

to N49 billion in 2010. However, operating expense rose by 55 per cent to N46.6 billion in 2010 compared with N30.1 billion in 2009, representing 51 per cent of gross earnings in 2010 as against 44 per cent in 2009. Operating profit doubled by 123 per cent to N27.6 billion in 2010 compared with N12.4 billion in 2009. With additional provisions for risk assets totaling N22.9 billion in 2010 as against N24.74 billion in 2009, pre-tax profit stood at N4.77 billion in 2010 compared with loss before tax of N12.4 billion in 2009. After taxes and minority interests, net earnings remained positive at N1.3 billion in 2010 as against net loss of N8.14 billion in 2009. The bank's basic earnings per share consequently reversed from -56 kobo in 2009 to 9.0 kobo per share in 2010.

Further analysis showed that the positive actual profit and loss performance was underpinned by improvements in the intrinsic profitmaking capacity of the bank. Net interest margin, which measures profitability of the core banking

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

2010

Nmillion Profit and Loss Statement Gross earnings Interest income Interest expense Net Interest income Total Non-interest income Total Non-interest expense Profit before tax (loss) Profit after tax (loss)

12 months

% change

12 months

91,022 65296 16293 49,003 25,197 46,565 4,773 1,288

34.4 28.7 -34.6 89.6 51.7 54.8 -138.6 -115.8

67,736 50746 24,896 25,850 16,608 30,087 -12374 -8142

Balance Sheet Assets: Cash and balances with other banks Short-term investments Loans and advances (net) Total earning assets Fixed assets Total assets Liabilities and capital: Total deposit liabilities Total liabilities Paid-up share capital Shareholder's funds Liabilities and Equity

2009

94,421 51,303 307,135 558,044 36,751 594,795

-45.1 464.4 -4.9 -8.9 -2.2 -8.5

172,092 9,090 322,821 612,829 37,567 650,396

412,032 487,710 7,238 106,629 594,795

-14.5 -10.4 0.0 0.9 -8.5

482,056 544,303 7,238 105,647 650,395

operations, closed 2010 higher at 57 per cent as against about 53 per cent in 2009. Pre-tax profit margin, which measures the profitability of the bank as a going concern, turned positive at 5.2 per cent in 2010 as against -18.3 per cent in 2009. Returns on total assets turned from 1.9 per cent in 2009 to 0.8 per cent in 2010 while return on equity reversed from -7.7 per cent in 2009 to 1.2 per cent in 2010. The bank also showed better cost-to-income ratio with average cost of fund dropping from 5.2 per cent in 2009 to 4.0 per cent in 2010 while average income per loan unit increased from 53 per cent in 2009 to 57 per cent in 2010.

Liquidity The liquidity position of the bank slipped slightly during the year, although it remained within acceptable limits. The proportion of cash and bank balances to total liabilities dropped from 32 per cent in 2009 to 19 per cent in 2010. Loans and advances were up to about 75 per cent of total deposits in 2010 as against 67 per cent in 2009 while the proportion of loans and advances to total assets increased from 50 per cent in 2009 to 52 per cent in 2010.

Governance and structures Incorporated in 1990 and listed on the Nigerian stock Exchange (NSE) in 2005, Diamond Bank is a midtier retail bank owned by a highly diversified group of individual and institutional Nigerian and foreign shareholders. The board and management of the bank remain stable. Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe still chairs the board while Mr. Alex Otti oversees daily operations of the bank as group managing director and chief executive. The bank broadly complied with all relevant codes of best corporate governance practices as stipulated by the Nigerian financial services authorities. The annual report included a conformity report on codes of corporate governance.

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

Analyst's opinion The gradual comeback of Diamond Bank as indicated by the general performance outlook in 2010 is reassuring and shows commendable level of stability in the postcrisis period. Recent key decisions taken by the bank and on-going initiatives are expected to further nudge and stabilise performance in the years ahead. Diamond Bank has chosen to divest from non-core banking businesses while recapitalising its operations.

The divestiture from non-banking businesses, which contribute less and sometime drag down group performance, and focus on core banking operations, as an international bank under the new licence regime of the Central Bank of Nigeria, would allow for better efficiency and productivity.

Low performing subsidiaries and provisions made thereon were responsible for the relatively low profit in 2010. While Diamond Bank as an entity posted pre and post-tax profits of N9.5 billion and N6.52 billion respectively, group profits before and after tax slumped to N4.8 billion and N1.3 billion respectively.

Besides, the decision to strengthen the capital base of the bank, in spite of the fact that its current equity funds of N107 billion is twice the minimum statutory requirement of N50 billion for international banking licence, would undoubtedly provide expansive supports for the bank's aggressive business strategy.

Diamond Bank has already outlined a three-level recapitalisation plan that is expected to take its capital base to almost N200 billion. Additional capital would provide strong platform for the bank to consolidate its retail banking brand and explore more opportunities in largeticket transactions.

Overall, there is a reasonable basis to assume that Diamond Bank might improve on its performance in the years ahead.

2010 %

2009 %

Asset Quality Gross Loans and Advances (Nm) Classified loans (Nm) % of classified loans Loan Loss Reserves/Classified Loans Classified Loans/Equity Stock

345,000 51,122 14.8 NA 47.9

378,000 68,234 18.3 NA 64.6

Capital Adequacy Equity/Total Assets Equity/Loans and Advances Permanent Assets/Equity

17.9 34.7 34.5

16.2 32.7 35.6

Liquidity Ratios Loans & Advances/Total Assets Cash & Bank Balances/Total Liabilities Loans & Advances/Total deposits

51.6 19.4 74.5

49.6 31.6 67.0

Profitability ratios Pre-tax Profit Margin Return on Total Assets Return on Equity Net Interest Margin Interest Income/Loans & Advances Interest Paid/Total Deposits Operating Expense/Total Revenue Non-Interest Income/Total Revenue Pre-tax Profit Per Employee (Nm) Staff Costs per Employee (Nm) Staff Costs/Gross Revenue Earnings per share (basic)(kobo) Dividend per share (kobo) Dividend cover (times)

5.2 0.8 1.2 57.1 21.3 4.0 51.2 27.7 NA NA NA 9 15 NA

-18.3 -1.9 -7.7 52.5 15.7 5.2 44.4 24.5 NA NA NA -56 NA NA

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

48

INSURANCE HALF YEAR REVIEW

Hitches stall industry’s key policies of IFRS, would help raise confidence on the industry, adding that both local and foreign firms would now do business with insurers as they align with their foreign counterparts.

The Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Accountant Standard Board (NASB), Mr Jim Obaze, said the adoption of the IFRS by insurers would help transform their operations and align them with the counterparts across the globe.

He said the industry’s financial reporting falls below international standard, adding that if insurers are to compete favourable in the international market, they must meet global accepted standards.

Some initiatives, which should have propped the insurance industry were hampered by challenges. But there were also some developments which shaped its performance in the first half.

CHUKS UDO OKONTA examines the events that impacted on the sector.

I

NSURERS came into the year with high hopes. For example, they planned to launch the enforcement of Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI).

The policy is to ensure compulsory insurance of motor vehicles, buildings and buildings under construction, employers’ liability, medical professional liability and group life for all employers.

The policy is targeted at garnering N1trillion gross premium income for the subsector by next year.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) set March, 2011 for the flagg-off of the initiative, but it could not, due to technical hitches which the commission said it identified in the exercise.

NAICOM and operators said they want to leverage on insurance Act to enforce the MDRI. According to them, Sections 64 and 65 of the 2003 Insurance Act, makes it mandatory for all the people constructing any building that is more than two floors to insure their liability for construction risks caused by their negligence or that of their servants, agents or consultants which may result in bodily injury or loss of lives or damage to property of any workman on the site or of any member of the public.

The law further penalises anybody who fails to insure such buildings to a fine of N250,000 or three years’ imprisonment or both on conviction.

The Insurance Act also made compulsory motor vehicle, employer’s liability, medical professional liability and group life for all employers.

The Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs, NAICOM, Lucky Fiakpa, said the initiative could not commenced last month due to some issues that cropped-up, adding that NAICOM wants to fine-tune the process before it is flagged up.

He said the challenges identified are so sensitive which if not properly addressed may clog the free slow of the programme, adding that new date for commencement of the initiative has not been reached.

Another initiative the operator thought would boost their operations is the electronic

An Executive Officer of Akintola Williams Deloitte, Oduware Uwadiae, said the adoption of IFRS by insurers would increase volatility in financial reporting statements and enable consistency and transparency of reporting across insurance entities.

• Fola

• Olowude

certificate project that is been propelled by the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA).

The project was billed for flag-off in May, but was stalled by some hitches, according to the association.The initiative is aimed at eradicating paper certificates, which the operators said, is responsible for fake insurances, especially in the motor and marine classes of insurance.

The Director-General NIA, Sunday Thomas, identified sustainability, avoidance of human error and inadequate data as reasons for not starting the initiative.

He said the initiative was bill to start in May, but was stalled by challenges.

He said some companies have sent their data to the NIA, adding that the association hopes to start the process with the data available to it.

Developments that impacted the industry are issuance of guidelines by NAICOM, directives on International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), directives on money laundering, appointments, and others.

Another broker, who pleaded anonymity said the operators are worried that the reduction of the commission has helped to nail the industry, after losing the employees compensation business to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

“The decision by NAICOM to reduce the commission of group life insurance was in conception. It is worrisome that at a time the prices of other commodities are going up, NAICOM decided to reduce the rate of a major business of operators.”

But NAICOM said the decision to fix the commission at eight per cent is to have a unified commission, adding that earlier, there was no standard commission, a reson which made the operators to charge abnormal rates.

It noted that it engaged actuarials to determine the commission and that it would review the rule after one year if it is seen to be ineffective.

Also, in the guidelines NAICOM ordered insurers and reinsurers to report brokers with indebtedness of N.5million and submit their statement of premium transitions for verification quarterly.

Guidelines The industry’s guidelines issued by NAICOM at the beginning of the year introduced new concepts for the operators. The most controversial among the rules in the guidelines is the reduction of brokers’ commission on Group Life Insurance from 10 to eight per cent.

The brokers, who felt slanted about the rule immediately, expressed their misgivings about the rule, which they considered inimical to their operations.

The President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Teslim Sanusi, condemned the rule, adding the rule was received with reservations.

He noted that the directive, if sustained, would lead to a reduction in the commission accruable to brokers, and further affect the industry’s growth.

IFRS The operators were urged to migrate from their reporting system to the IFRS to enable them to align with global trends.

NAICOM demanded that company’s financial statement for the year’s ending December 31, 2010 should disclose plans and possible impact of IFRS on the opening balances for 2011. And that the opening balance sheet for 2011 and their reconciliation to the closing for 2011 should be submitted not later than September 1, 2011. It noted that the IFRS opening and closing balance sheets, which should form the comparatives for 2012 financial reporting, shall be audited in line with global standards.

Experts, who expressed concern on the poor rating of the industry, said the introduction

Education on money laundering To educate operators on the dangers and consequences of money laundering and anti-terrorism financing, NAICOM organised a workshop to sensitise them on how to identify such illegal activities.

The operators were charged to ensure compliance with money laundering and anti-terrorism financing.

Head, Compliance Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Mr Giwa Sechap, at the forum accused insurers of their poor reporting system, adding that insurers are a weak link in the financial services sector.He noted that insurers have poor customers’ identification system and that their reports are often incomplete.

College of Insurance In the period under review, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) started the construction of its college of insurance, which is aimed at increasing the level of professionals in the industry Its Director-General Mr Adegboyega Adepegba, said college would help bridge the gap in human capacity development and boost researches in the industry.

Appointments There was a change of baton in the CIIN as Dr Julius Oluwole Adetimehin was elected its the president.

Also, the Executive Vice-Chairman of Industrial and General Insurance Plc, Mr Remi Olowude, was elected the deputy presidentof the NIA. Adetimehin pledged to focus on strengthening the relevance of insurance profession, enthroning the quality of insurance education, recognition of excellence in insurance and awareness and public enlightenment.

He said his tenure would be dedicated to moving the industry from its present position to a lofty height, adding that he is not unmindful of the perception the public has on the industry.

Nigerians spend less on insurance yearly, says NIA boss

A

N average Nigerian spends about N1, 500 on the purchase of insurance policies yearly, the Chairman, Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Olusola LadipoAjayi, has said.

Ladipo-Ajayi, who spoke at the Annual General Meeting of the NIA in Lagos, said Nigerians demand for insurance is one of the lowest among emerging markets, adding that the development portends danger for the industry.

He put insurance penetration at 0.5 per cent, an indication that most Nigerians do not buy insurance, adding that insurers are operating under a harsh environment.

He said: “The insurance penetration which is a measure of the relationship between premiums earned and the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remains at an unacceptable low level of 0.5 per cent. Similarly, the insurance density, the measure of per capital consumption of insurance service is at the less than $10 (N1, 500) per citizen, one of the lowest among emerging markets.”

He said the NIA and the National Insurance Commission NAICOM have taken some measure to ensure that the industry takes it right position in the scheme of things, add-

ing that the programmes initiated by the association will soon transform the industry.

He noted that steps adopted to reposition the industry include Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI), awareness campaign, codification of insurance documents, institution of market agreement, customers’ complaints bureau and more.

“The initiative and programmes of NAICOM and NIA of enhancing members’ service delivery will turn situations around for the industry.

“The NIA has adopted the process that will lead to effective dematerialisation and codification of insurance documents with the deployment of information technology. This is intended to improve the availability and integrity of insurance data authentication of insurance documents and also allow effective linkage between insurers and the various stakeholders.

“The process, which started with motor insurance, has reached an advanced stage and is expected to be fully implemented within the shortest time.”

He said the market agreement initiative is to serve as a service standard for claims settlement, premium collection and ethical con-

duct.

“The market agreement is to serve as a service standard in respect of claims settlement, premium collection and ethical conduct. The

agreement has been put to test for one year and following comments and observation by members, the agreement will be sustained to achieve market service standard.

Delayed Solvency II inimical to insurers, says Lloyd

L

LOYD's is uneasy about talk of a possible one-year delay, to January 1, 2014, in the implementation of Solvency II. "That's not something we would welcome," said Luke Savage, director, Finance Risk Management and Operations at Lloyd's, about a possible delay. "We've been working hard for a number of years now to get ourselves ready. We think we will be ready for the first of January 2013. And we don't really see there should be any reason to delay."

Solvency II is a European Union directive designed to create a uniform capital adequacy structure for insurers and reinsurers in the 27-member European Union.

Signals pointing to a possible deferral have come from within both the EU's Council of Ministers and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA).

The Council of Ministers performs a political role, while EIOPA is part of the EU financial services supervisory structure.

The sooner the Solvency II structure is in place, Savage said, the sooner Lloyd's can get back to its focus on writing insurance.

He said he would like to see regulation removed from its current leading place as a concern of insurance CEOs around the world.

“Arguably, the clock's just been put on pause for a while" on Solvency II, said Savage, who expressed the hope that a delay would not slow down Lloyd's preparations.

“We've got good momentum behind the project," he said.

Savage, who spoke during an interview at a London briefing, said a deferral of another year could cause people "to stretch things out," spending more time and money on it, without getting more value.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

49

INSURANCE

• From left: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr Jide Aminu; Director-General, National Pension Commission, Mr Ahmad Mohammad; President, NCRIB Dr Teslim Sanusi, and NCRIB past President Mr Siyan Oyebadejo, when a NCRIB delegation visited PENCOM office in Abuja.

Brokers seek PenCom’s assistance on remittances

I

NSURANCE brokers are seeking the cooperation of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) on the collection of outstanding remittances owed Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs).

The President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Dr Teslim Sanusi, who made this known at the NCRIB Members, Evening in Lagos, said it is to ensure that the interest of brokers are no longer marginalised.

He said the council and PenCom agreed to co-operate in the marketing of pension, collection of outstanding remittances and the utilisation of brokers in ensuring compliance with the Pension Act. He said: “Recently, PenCom expressed its intention to advertise for agents to market pension business. As a proactive step, The NCRIB management immediately scheduled a meeting with the top echelon of the commission to address the issue quickly to understand the extent to which our members could complement the commission.

“The meeting provided an opportunity for the commission to solicit the co-operation of brokers in areas such as marketing of pension business, assisting with the collec-

Stories by Chuks Udo Okonta

tion of outstanding remittances owed the Commission as well as seeking how brokers could be utilised to ensure better compliance with the Pension Act by corporate institutions.”

Sanusi said the technical committee of the NCRIB had met over the request of PenCom and have articulated measures on how to meet them.

He noted that insurance brokers were to complement and add value to the promotion of pension administration as enshrined in the 2004 Pension Act, in view of their robust clientele, technical expertise as well as their strict compliance to ethics and professionalism, as enshrined in the NCRIB Act 2003 which confers the power of regulation and control of activities of insurance brokers on the Council.

Sanusi noted that PENCOM has been asked to leverage on the spread of insurance brokers who operate in the nooks and crannies of the country, for the promotion of awareness among Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots, for better acceptance of pensions.

He said the NCRIB commended PENCOM for

the giant strides it had taken since inception by providing excellent oversight functions in the nation’s pension business, culminating in the current robust pension asset base totalling N2.2 trillion and with no fewer than 40,000 workers already benefiting.

Sanusi said the DirectorGeneral of PENCOM, Mr Muhammad Ahmad, debunked the notion that insurance brokers were sidelined from pension business, but has opened its doors to positive collaboration with reputable professionals and their institutions for the benefit of the scheme.

He disclosed that the PenCom boss assured that insurance brokers’ services were needed in the administration of annuities which were within the purview of insurance, as well as group life assurance for the benefit of retirees.

PenCom has said it is finalising a framework to contract the collection of pension contributions to agent, adding that the decision is to facilitate the process of pension contributions and make contributors comply with the new pension directive, adding that the agents would be saddled with the responsibility of collecting contributions from the private sector.

Royal Exchange General opens branch

R

OYAL Exchange General Insurance Company has opened a new branch in Victoria Island, Lagos.

A statement by its Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Austin Agbarehi, said the branch is to serve the business community in the area, adding that the company plans to expand its operations to cover the state.

The Group Managing Director, Royal Exchange Plc, Mr Chike Mokwunye, said: “Royal Exchange has taken note of the low insurance penetration in Nigeria and is embarking on a development and deploy of an extensive branch network, and the requisite skilled manpower, throughout Nigeria, to reach the masses and elicit their interest in insurance”.

He said the Benin office is open for business, while Yola, Sokoto and Enugu branches will become operational later in the year.

“Royal Exchange, will in the next couple of months, unveil more branches in Nigeria, while also developing various market penetration strategies that will result in the growth of the company’s revenue and ensure that Royal Exchange remains a market leader in the insurance industry in Nigeria,” he added.

Commenting on the new branch, the Managing Director of Royal Exchange General Insurance Company, Mr Olutayo Borokini, said: “The opening of the Victoria Island office is in line with the company’s objective to provide a

conducive environment for the conduct of the company’s business, since Royal Exchange places a high premium on the condition of the operating environment of its staff and customers”.

“Our desire is to deliver value-added service to the discerning Victoria IslandLekki-Ajah conurbation which in substance represents the emerging Free Trade Zone in Lagos,” Borokini said.

He said the company paid the highest single insurance claim settlement in the history of insurance in Nigeria, adding that the company paid N3.8billion to Nigerian Bottling Company in 2009, for the fire damage and consequential losses resulting from a fire incident at its Benin bottling plant in December 2008.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

50

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION with

Boost your financial knowledge BOOK REVIEW Author: Robert Kiyosaki Publisher: Business Plus Reviewer: Goke Ilesanmi

GOKE ILESANMI

I

NE of the fundamentals of financial success is financial intelligence. In short, many people cannot achieve financial success because they lack this intelligence.

It is, therefore, laudable that Robert Kiyosaki has decided to assist such people with his book entitled “Increase Your Financial IQ”. Kiyosaki is an investor, entrepreneur and educator whose perspectives on money and investing align with conventional wisdom.

On the question of whether money makes one rich, this author says it is not so. He explains that we all know people who go to work every day, work for money, make more money, but fail to become richer. Kiyosaki says this text is about increasing your financial intelligence, your financial IQ. It is segmented into ten chapters.

Chapter one is entitled “What is financial intelligence?” In this author’s words here, “Money alone does not solve your money problems. That is why giving poor people money does not solve their money problems. In many cases, it only prolongs the problem and creates more poor people.”

According to Kiyosaki, it is only financial intelligence that solves all money problems. He says financial intelligence is that part of our total intelligence we use to solve financial problems. Kiyosaki educates that unfortunately, if our financial intelligence is not developed

enough to solve our problems, the problems persist.

Chapter two addresses five financial intelligence quotients (IQs). He says the five basic financial IQs are: Making more money (Financial IQ No 1); protecting your money (Financial IQ No2); budgeting your money (Financial IQ No3); leveraging your money (Financial IQ No4) and improving your financial information (Financial IQ No5).

As regards difference between financial intelligence and financial IQ, he says, “Most of us know that a person with a mental IQ of 130 is supposedly smarter than a person with an IQ of 95. The same parallels can be drawn with financial IQ. You can be the equivalent of a moron when it comes to financial intelligence... Financial intelligence is that part of our mental intelligence we use to solve our financial problems. Financial IQ is the measurement of that intelligence. It is how we quantify our financial intelligence. For example, if I earn $100,000 and pay 20 per cent in taxes, I have a higher financial IQ than someone who earns $100,000 and pays 50 per cent.”

Kiyosaki explains that in this example, the person who earns a net of $80,000 after taxes has a higher financial IQ than the person who earns a net of $50,000 after taxes.

Both have financial intelligence, but the one that keeps more money has a higher financial IQ, educates this expert.

In chapters three to seven, the five financial IQs already discussed in chapter two, are elaborately examined respectively.

Chapter eight is christened “The integrity of money”. According to

Kiyosaki here, “Integrity” is an interesting word. He says he has heard it used in many different ways and in different contexts.

Kiyosaki adds that he believes it is one of the more misused, confused, and abused words in the English language. The author educates that many times, he has heard someone say, “He has no integrity”, or “If they had any integrity, they would be more successful”. Kiyosaki adds that someone else might say, “That house has integrity of design”.

This author says before discussing the integrity of money, it is necessary to define Integrity.

Kiyosaki explains that “Integrity”, according to Webster, can be defined as “Soundness” (an unimpaired condition); “Incorruptibility” (firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values) and “Completeness” (the quality or state of being complete or undivided).

This expert educates that just as health can break down from a literal lack of integrity, so can wealth be compromised by lack of integrity. “Instead of disease or death, which comes from a breakdown in the body’s integrity, symptoms of a lack of financial integrity are low income, crippling taxes, high expenses, excessive debt, bankruptcy, foreclosure, increased crime, violence, sadness, and despair,” expatiates this author.

He says the integrity of all the five financial IQs is needed to grow rich, stay rich and pass wealth on to generations after you. In this author’s words, “When a person is struggling financially, one or more of these financial intelligences is out of whack, financial integrity is not sound, and the person is not complete.”

In chapters nine and ten, Kiyosaki beams his intellectual searchlight on the concepts of developing your financial genius and developing your financial IQ. As regards style, this text is a prototype for stylistic excellence. For

instance, most of the illustrations are based on the financial experiences of the author himself, thus lending credibility and conviction to the text. The language is simple and the presentation very didactic.

Kiyosaki generously employs graphics to achieve visual reinforcement of readers’ understanding and make the layout of the text eye-friendly.

However, conceptual repetition is noticed in chapters three to seven where the five financial IQs already discussed in chapter two are further examined. One would have expected the author to have harmo-

nised chapters two to seven. Probably, Kiyosaki wants to create emphasis through deliberate repetition.

Also, the word “Intelligence” whose grammatical behaviour in the dictionary shows that it is an uncountable noun as reflected by the symbol “U” against it, is still used in this text in a countable way on pages 150 and 151 where we have “Intelligences”.

In spite of the few errors, this text is fantastic. It is a must-read for those who want to accomplish financial freedom and abundance through concrete financial education.

Role of communication in strategic planning

W

HAT would your organisation be like without communication?

Teams would not be able to coordinate their efforts while individuals would not be able to seek feedback from and communicate their achievements to their managers. Even customers would find it difficult time placing orders. In short, organisations are built on a foundation of communication. Communication is the organisational lubricant as it keeps organisations running.

Internal communication Planning your internal communication is an essential prerequisite for effective and committed implementation of any business strategy. It also goes a long way towards minimising problems. Employees not present at strategic planning offsite meetings are not dumb; they are just not present. They know you are away, probably planning the future of the company, their jobs and their salary cuts, so they will gossip and spread rumours.

In order to minimise the internal and external risks of gossip and rumours, therefore, you

By Goke Ilesanmi should have it very firmly set in your mind that communication outlining the outcome of the planning should arrive with all due speed, consistency and completeness.

Agreement and information The first of the guidelines for achieving effective strategic planning is to design and agree.

The communication strategy should be designed and accepted by all as part of the planning process, not an adjunct activity delegated to a junior manager who, in all probability, was not even at the planning meeting.

Feedback to all those affected should take place at the earliest possible opportunity, preferably first thing next morning, before the rumour mill has had too much time to gear up. A useful strategy is to have strategic planning meetings at weekends, with the staff briefing occurring first thing on Monday morning.

Organising one meeting to bind them all Another thing to do is to organ-

ise one single briefing or feedback session, rather than multiple sessions that might lead to distortion of the original message. Thankfully, technology largely allows such a single session to occur, even across multiple time zones. In such an instance, scripting of the communication would prove a valuable tool to consistency, especially where the text of the session will appear on a company intranet.

Following up and re-purpose This is another strategy. A follow-up message (via audio, video or even written) to all from the chief executive officer, emphasising the key points, is very useful. It too can be re-purposed to appear on the company intranet, or as a briefing to investors and the marketplace. All of this might seem like overkill, a tremendous amount of efforts for very little gain. But such a view must be evaluated against the fact that the long-term strategic plan will drive the company for anything from the next ten to 20 years. Investing time at the beginning to ‘get it right’ will pay massive dividends over a long term.

When you match consumer psychology with effective communication styles you get a powerful combination. According to Lee Hopkins of Hopkins-Business-CommunicationTraining.com, now, sales trainers have for years been pushing the line that we ‘buy with emotion, and justify that purchase with logic’. Hopkins says, “But having seen a few Analyticals in my years I don’t actually believe that to be the case. An accountant friend of mine in England never purchased anything because of emotion.”

Major problem area The area of communication lies the fundamental problem of most management initiatives. Even those companies that let the employees know the what and why very often fail to elicit anything other than tacit compliance and eventual failure of the initiative.

The reason is simple—the employees are not given any part in the discussion about why a new initiative is needed, the business case for it, what shape the initiative should take to meet the business need, and what

their individual roles and responsibility are in order to bring the initiative to a successful conclusion.

Successful communication is not a one-to-one or one-to-many transaction, but a dialogue between two (or more) parties. Successful dialogues rely on four principles: reality, reaction, coordination and purposefulness.

NOTE: The duration of the public speaking seminar has been greatly reduced as requested, in addition to other adjustments. You will find the programme on the right side at the upper part of my website. Click on the text and see details. I appreciate your suggestions and requests.

•GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is a Certified Public Speaker/Emcee, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker, Career Management Coach, Renowned Book Reviewer, Corporate Leadership Expert and Editorial Consultant..

Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: info@gokeilesanmi.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

51

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TIPS

Making money from kolanut export

A

YOOLA Saheed, Chief Executive, Fams Honey Enterprises, loves owning a small business.

He followed his dreams to be selfemployed and launched his own business.

He founded Kolanut Trading, a home-based business that has the potential to create an immediate and residual income. It also provided him the opportunity to do something else — help others to do the same so.

He has experienced what it takes in trading kolanut and is making good returns. He gives insight into how to rake in cash just as he does.

Saheed said exporting kolanut is one good area for Nigerians to start their own businesses.

According to him, it can be operated as a home-based business while attending to the demands of a growing family.

As the business continues to grow, he enjoys having control over the amount of hours he works.

His strategy is discovering cheap sources of buying and selling kola nuts for huge profit.

According to him “quite a few

Business sayings “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognise them.”

- Ann Landers (1918-2002) US columnist, attrib.

Questions & Answers

Stories by Daniel Essiet

West African countries grow kolanut. However, Abidjan, in Cote d’Ivoire, seems to be the most patronised when it come to sourcing kolanuts.”

Here in Nigeria, you can purchase kolanut in wholesales in states such as Ogun, Oyo, Osun, etc.

There are opportunities to supply kolanuts to producers of soft drinks, fruit juice, flavoured and energy drinks According to him, kola nuts are exported to the United States market for flavoring cola drinks such Coke and Pepsi.

Saheed said there is a ready market to sell the product once one have enough stock.“ You can sell your kolanut stock anywhere.You have the Hausa community located in different parts of the states. Here in Lagos, they are predominantly in Bariga, Agege, Maza-Maza, along the Mile 2 Road. For greater profit, you can visit Goro Garage Market in Sango, Oko Market in Osun State, Ogbagba Market, Osun State, Shagamu and Ijebu in Ogun State.”

CONSULTATION FEE:

N1OOO OFFICE ADDRESS; 159 DOPEMU ROAD,AGEGE, LAGOS. PHONE NO: 08161343019, 08083985888, 08091903899 NOTE: CONSULTATION IS ONLY ON FRIDAYS

On how much one can invest, he said depends on an individual ability. “If you wish to limit yourself to just trading at the local

What do you think the key factors are for small business failure in Nigeria?

Many factors contribute to small business failure: •lack of cash-flow planning; •no sales or not enough sales; •too high overheads and not cost control; •loss of business focus; •red-tape; •lack of marketing; •Bad customer care.

Business ideas •Saheed level, with as little as N20,000 to N30,000, one can make purchases.

Within the West Africa zone (such as Abidjan) you need between N200,000 and N500,000.

On profit prospects ,he gave insights: “Assuming you get a bag of kolanut for N27,000, you can sell to the Northern buyers popularly called aboki at about N50,000. The margin is N23,000.

If you invest about N300,000 to buy at the Abidjan market, you can possibly sell for N450,000.

This leaves you with a margin of N150,000.

How does one get to Abidjan to purchase kolanut? “The only place to get transport to Abidjan is at Ejigbo (Osun State) in Igbo Owa, but if you will have to go from Lagos, first board a bus to Ghana; then to Lome then to Abidjan. The requirements include: •Cart Dante Pass (to be obtained at the Nigerian embassy at Abidjan). It costs N1,320.

•Any means of identification e.g.

National I.D Card, ECOWAS , Drivers license etc.

•N20,000 to cover transportation to and fro.

How to find business ideas Every business starts with an idea. However, coming up with a concept for your small business can be difficult and frustrating. What do you do?

Do some research into current start-up trends. Conduct research on the different sectors. Most times, there is a guaranteed market there for you to fight for a share if you are entering a market sector that is either already well-established or is growing rapidly. It is easier also to look for gaps in a market and attempt to fill them. if you learn about products that are doing well in other countries then you may be able to adapt them for sale here if no-one else is doing it. If you can find a gap in the market that there is a genuine demand for, you could be on to a winner. If you can persuade business owner with a number of subsidiaries to sell one of them for you.

But you must have expertise in that area.

A small business can be very successful just by taking an existing idea and doing it better or differently to everyone else.

If you are determined to invent something unique, look for problems that require a solution. New inventions can be a legal minefield involving copyrights and patents, but some of the best business ideas are often things that are so simple it is hard to believe no-one else thought of it first.

Business opportunities These ideas will fly anytime •Think about starting a drive-thru selling health food and nutritious sandwiches.

•You can analyse case studies from companies and sell the information.

•You can deliver food from local restaurants that don’t offer a delivery service.

•Learn the skills and create your own ice cream flavours and sell.

•If you are a communicator see how you can assist businessmen who have trouble writing speeches or organising presentations.

•Are you a singer or songwriter? You can write songs for special events.

•Couples still need highly trained babysitters.

Exploring opportunities in export/import business Opportunities abound in export/import of goods and services. You can make money as a small business owner. Link up with credible organisations and the Nigerian embassy to help you find the best opportunities for your business in any country of your choice..

There are global network of trade professionals to help you expand your business frontiers in Asia.

What you need to know. • Determine export and import regulation for shipping your products.

• Understand and comply with global product standards, certification requirements, electricity regulations, and packaging laws.

• Verify the tariff rate for your product.

• Learn how to limit the risk of non-payment.

• Get guidance on pricing your products and services to ensure competitiveness while maximizing your profits.

• Receive updates on new regulations and business trends.

•Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Prudential Alliance Insurance Brokers Limited, Ifeanyi Ifezulike; Managing Partner, Theo Consult, Fola Aguda; Managing Director,Nedfield Property Trust Limited Edward Eworo and Publisher, Pharm News, Ifeayi Atueyi, during a business seminar press conference by Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International in Lagos.

Ekiti disburses N40m loan to entrepreneurs

E

KITI State has disbursed N40 million micro-credit revolving loan to about 1,000 selfemployed individuals and groups.

Speaking while distributing cheques to the beneficiaries in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Kayode Fayemi said he jettisioned the mentoring method adopted by the immediate past administration of Segun Oni. He regretted that millions of naira of micro-credit fund belonging to the state were trapped in the hands of mentors and guarantors of the beneficiaries during the Oni regime, saying he preferred having a direct access with individuals and groups that wish to benefit from the loan.

Fayemi said his administration would not mount undue pressure on the beneficiaries in its attempt to recoup the fund promising to recognise individuals and societies that indicate intention to benefit from scheme.

The governor urged the beneficiaries to respond quickly to the repayment of the loan to allow other members of the public to benefit.

Fayemi noted that members of the drivers and motorcyclists unions in the State have benefited similar gesture in the past, adding that all the sectors of the economy will benefit from the gesture to give the State a robust economic base to reduce poverty

among the citizenry.

He said his government is poised towards making poverty a history in the State by tackling the menace at all fronts through provision of jobs to unemployed youths and by encouraging self employment among the youths.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Iyaloja of IgbaraOdo Ekiti in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of the State, Chief Ajoke Haastrup, appealed to members to make judicious use of the fund She appealed to them to repay the money at the expected time to encourage the government to sustain the scheme and widen the frontiers for more beneficiaries.

How to make money online with facebook

M

AKING money online isn’t as easy as it was 10 years ago.

But the President, dotcomclass.com, Mr Patrick Ogidi, said he has discovered Facebook as a way a person can make money online successfully and not spend a fortune trying to market a programme or any other internet program for that matter.

He works to help other internet marketers succeed online. What he does is to help facebook users optimizsing their pages to give the best results,thereby creating permanent residual income.

One of the strategy he uses is posting sales message and this allows him to get quality buyers without the continuous soliciting for customers.

For him, marketing for success on facebook is a long-term process, but can provide one with permanent results.

He posts messages which earn him readership. Those who visit

his page are taken from his wall to another page where he markets his products.

He said Nigerians are losing a lot of money by using facebook only to connect with friends, play games, while away time and kill boredom.

“You are literally throwing away cash that ought to be in your bank account. All you have to is to attract the rightstance of individuals on Facebook who’s interested in what you have to offer. There are tonnes of people with profiles that are into what you have got.

You target the group with needs you will be providing solutions.

Ogidi said marketers must have target audience, specifically, those that are interested in buying products and services.

He advised marketers to relevant Facebook pages and groups from the target market: According to Ogidi ,Facebook is big platform for making money by one Facebook fans early access to new products..

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

53

NEWS ‘We ‘ll overcome’

Chime promises to improve education

By Oziegbe Okoeki

GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said his administration would overcome the forces of retrogression and poverty.

He spoke at a party organised for him by the Chairman, Campaign Council of the Rescue Mission,Jeff Imo, and the Onuimo community.

G

World Bank report decried From Chris Oji, Enugu

THE Coalition for Business and Professional Associations has decried the World Bank report on doing business in Nigeria, which ranked the Southeast as the poorest.

The Coalition,an organ of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA)has embarked on mobilisation and sensitisation of the people to address the issues raised in the report.

President of ECCIMA and Chairman of the Coalition of Business and Professional Associations, Okechukwu Nwadinobi, who made this known yesterday in Enugu at a news conference, advocated for advance policy reforms to confront the challenges of economic growth as well as sustainable development in the zone.

Tinubu condoles with party chieftain ASIWAJU Bola Tinubu, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National leader and former governor of Lagos State, has condoled with Toun Adediran, former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who lost her mother yesterday.

In a letter to the Adediran family, Tinubu said though the death of Alhaja Mulikat Adediran was painful, her offspring should rejoice that she nurtured a family with a progressive streak, whose members have contributed to the development of the state.

Journalist loses mum THE death has been announced of Alhaja Noyinmot Ayoka Hassan.She was 63.

She is survived by five children, among whom is Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, former Editorial Chairman of THISDAY. Her remain was buried yesterday according to Islamic rites.

From left: Secretary, Lagos branch of University of Nigeria(UNN) Alumni Association, George Nwolisa , the immediate Past National President, UNN Alumni Association, Nze Ananyi, UNN 50th Anniversary Publicity Sub-Committee member, Susan Eshatt, Chairman, Fund Raising/Endowment Committee of UNN 50th Anniversary, Prof. Pat Utomi, 1963 graduate of UNN and Ex-executive Director, PZ Plc, Vincent Egungwu and Legal Adviser to the Association and Chairman, Editorial Board, Malachy PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID Ugwumadu at a news conference in Lagos.....yesteray.

UNN scientists produce automated dental chair S CIENTISTS at the University of Nigeria (UNN) have recorded a major technological breakthrough.

They have produced an automated dental chair from locally sourced materials.The Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Prof.

Chuba Okoye made this known at the 60th inaugural lecture of the university.

In the lecture entitled “Enhancing Healthy Human Life through Bioengineering and Rehabilitation Medicine”, Okoye said the device would be suitable for use in most developing countries.

He said: “With the availability of such semi-conductor device with relevant specifications, many simple electronic medical devices can be easily fabricated or assembled.”

Describing the success of

•Targets N50b from fundraising

By Adejo David and Chris Oji, Enugu

the project as a monumental technological breakthrough of the 21st century, the Dean praised the UNN former Vice- Chancellor, Prof Chinedu Nebo for funding the production of the chair at the Biomedical Engineering Research and Development Centre, College of Medicine, UNN. Besides the dental chair, the research team led by Prof.Okoye, also designed and developed multi-position hydraulic variable surgical operating table, solar energised phototherapy units, steam electric kerosene gas and non-invasive in-

tensive care monitoring bed.

Okoye called for the establishment of Biomedical Engineering Research and Production Centre in the country.

He said the centre would ensure the provision of a trained manpower for the design, development and production of simple medical equipment.

The University of Nigeria is to raise N50 billion from its 50th anniversary Fundraising/ Endowment for the transformation of the institution.

The Chairman of the University of Nigeria at50 Fundraising/Endowment Committee, Prof Pat Utomi, spoke at a news conference on the Lagos phase of its Golden An-

niversary Dinner/Fundraising billed for Friday, at Muson Centre, Onikan.

According to Utomi, each N1 Billion in the N50 billion target represents each of the years the university has been in existence and the funds are meant for upgrade of academic infrastructure to world standard; building additional hostel accommodation and renovating existing ones; building a state-of-theart alumni centre and attracting some of the best academic talents to the school.

The Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ifeoma Enemo, reaffirmed the commitment of the university to invest on research and described Prof. Okoye, the only Prof. of Rehabilitation Medicine in UNN, as a pride to the institution.

Ngige faults Jonathan over swearing-in of seven ministers

T

HE Senator representing Anambra Central Dr Chris Ngige has faulted President Goodluck Jonathan on the swearing in of seven ministers.

President Jonathan had sworn in 14 ministers on Saturday and gave portfolios to 12 of them.

But citing Order 14 of the Senate rules during plenary yesterday,Ngige said his privilege and that of the entire Senate has been breached by Jonathan’s action.

According to him, Jonath-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

an ought to have waited for the votes and proceedings to be approved before swearing in the seven ministers, who were confirmed by the Senate last Thursday.

He said the adoption of the votes and proceedings normally seals such approval and confirmation by the Senate.

The ministers are Shamsudeen Usman, Mohammed Sada, Mohammed Adoke, Labaran Maku, Yusuf Sulei-

man, Zainab Maina and Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi.

Ngige said: “My privilege and that of the entire Senate has been breached. The adoption of the votes and proceedings today marks the end of the confirmation we did on Thursday. The total confirmation is now.

“It is wrong for President Jonathan to have sworn in the ministers on Saturday.

“Even as we agree that the President should hit the ground running, it doesn’t hurt for things to be done the way it should be.”

The Senate President, Dav-

A •The late Hassan

•Calls for suspension of strike From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ity Leader), Tony Nwabunwanne (Deputy Majority Leader), Valentine Anyika (Majority Whip), Tony Uche (Deputy Chief Whip), Emeka Idu (Minority Whip), Emeka

Anohu (Deputy Minority Whip)and Uche Ikechukwu (Chief Whip).

The first sitting of the fifth Assembly was presided over

by Speaker Chinwe Nwebili.

The member representing Idemili South Constituency and the Deputy Majority

Prison chief decries congestion From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

T

HE Controller of the Federal Prisons in Abakaliki, Columbus Omenuko, has said the prison designed to accommodate 387, now has 900 inmates.

He said the development has overstretched the facilities provided by the Federal Government for the inmates.

Omenuko attributed the increasing rate of inmates to those awaiting trial.

He said:”We have appealed for the expansion of the prisons.

The prison has 900 inmates instead of 387. That means that the bed space meant for one person is being occupied by three people. We use double bunk here and even at that, inmates sleep on the floor.

“In Ebonyi State, the number of awaiting trial inmates are more than those convicted. In fact, we have less than 100 convicted inmates of the 1,042 inmates in the Prisons. They are there because their cases revolved around armed robbery, house-breaking, theft and communal clashes which have to do with human lives. These cases require time to investigate.

Concerns over erosion in Auchi •Ngige

id Mark, said: “We did the approval and confirmation here on Thursday. And i wrote to the President informing him that the confirmation has been done.”

ACN lawmaker emerges Minority Leader in Anambra NAMBRA State House of Assembly yesterday elected Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) candidate Tony Muonagor as its Minority Leader.

Muonagor represents Idemili North State Constituency in the House.

Other principal officers elected are Ike Oseke (Major-

OVERNOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has promised to provide quality education at all levels.

Chime spoke during matriculation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria Special Study Centre at Enugu Prisons at the weekend.

He restated the commitment of his administration to improving the welfare of inmates.

Describing education as the pillar of development in any society, Chime, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Simon Otuanya, said every citizen has a right to education.

He said government has embarked on the rehabilitation of dilapidated structures at the Enugu Prison.

He advised the inmates to use the scheme to acquire university education.

Whip Tony Uche appealed to the judiciary and health workers to suspend their strike.

Uche made the appeal in support of the motion for adjournment earlier moved by the Majority Leader Hafford Oseke.

Nwebili also appealed to the workers to suspend the strike.

G

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has expressed concern over the gully erosion on Auchi-Okene road.

The governor spoke after inspecting the site and attributed the damage caused to the road to incompetent contractors.

“I am very worried,it’s extremely painful that innocent souls had been lost already. I don’t know why the Ministry of Works and FERMA give jobs to contractors that are not competent, only God knows why they do it.

Oshiomhole urged the Federal Government to deal with the disaster decisively.

“We have drawn their attention to this disaster. Everybody can see that this erosion is a major issue,” he said.

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

56

MONEY LINK

N70b bond sales strengthen banks’ balance sheets

T

HE N70 billion Federal Gov ernment of Nigeria’s (FGN) 3-year and 5-year sovereign bonds sold by the Debt Management Office (DMO) are helping to strengthen banks’ balance sheets.

The instrument, which is the sixth debt auction of the year, has improved the amount of liquid assets, such as cash, precious metals and other approved securities that banks maintain as reserves other than the Cash with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) , The Nation has learnt.

DMO Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, said the Federal Government issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local

By Collins Nweze Senior Correspondent

bond market create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. The units of sale are N1, 000 per unit subject to a minimum subscription of N10, 000 and in multiples of N1, 000 thereafter.

The offer, already listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, will like all FGN bonds qualify as liquid assets for liquidity ratio calculation for banks. The FGN bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government of Nigeria and are charged upon the general assets of the country.

“The CBN and the DMO on behalf

ally and also bullet repayment on the maturity date.

Analysts, said the offer qualifies as securities in which trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act. It also qualifies as government securities within the meaning of Company Income Tax Act and Personal Income Tax Act for Tax Exemption for Pension Funds amongst other investors.

Successful bids for the three and five year offers were allotted at the marginal rates of 11.0390 per cent and 12.2300 per cent respectively.

However, the original coupon rates of 10.50 per cent and four per cent for the three and five year offers respectively, will be main-

of the Federal Government of Nigeria, had offered for subscription by auction, N35 billion bonds at the rate of 10.50 per cent due in March 2014. It also offered for subscription, N35 billion bonds at the rate of four per cent due in April 2015,” a statement from the DMO website, said.

According to DMO, “For re-openings of previously issued bonds, successful bidders will pay a price corresponding to the yield-to-maturity bid that clears the volume being auctioned, plus accrued interest from the original issue date”.

It is also stipulated that the interest payment be payable semi-annu-

tained.

By this development, investors are expected to receive a guaranteed, competitive, fixed interest income every six months as well as their principal amount at maturity.

Such contributions will help in the development of a culture of long term saving and mobilisation of funds for the development of infrastructure and the real sector of the economy.

Other capital flows in to the banking sector in recent months were largely from the CBN’s removal of the 12 month restriction on foreign debt holders. There were also funds from excess crude account.

First Guarantee Pension partners civil servants

F

IRST Guarantee Pension Lim ited is set to promote higher returns on investment by civil servants at the Federal, States and Local Governments.

The move is to consolidate achievements recorded as the best partner of workers in Nigeria which resulted in the recognition accorded the company by the Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology in Abuja recently.

The firms delegation to the pres-

entation of the award was led by the Head of Marketing, Mrs Joan Mbachu.

She said the award by the Institute is another source of inspiration for First Guarantee to build on achievements used as benchmark for its selection. “If our company is being recognised for doing something unique, it is a major challenge for us to move higher so that we will remain on top of the industry,” she observed.

The Head, Business Development of First Guarantee Pension Limited Mr Elias Eze disclosed that it was possible for the company to receive the award based on trust and confidence of the company’s customers nationwide.

This, according to him was as a result of the company’s commitment to transparency, efficient service delivery, building of close relationship with workers and prompt response to complaints. “We have also en-

She said, the company’s operation and services have been inspired to be the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) of first choice in Nigeria since the birth of the new pension scheme.

She explained that the company is also popular among Ogun workers as a result of its dedicated policies aimed at ensuring real wealth creation and excellent customer service.

According to her, “Our company is also consistent on sustaining return on investment to all stakeholders”.

hanced our ICT to meet with the new challenges of the industry,” he assured.

Mr Eze added that the company has been giving workers competitive return on their investment. “ For instance, since commencement of relationship with workers in Ogun State, we have remained the toast of workers as a result of quick delivery of quarterly statements to them even for those at the remotest part of the state,” he stated.

UBA Congo Brazzaville begins operations

T

erate in three business offices in an initial roll-out. The locations are in Brazzaville, the capital city, and Pointe Noire, the port city. There will be two business offices in Brazzaville including the Head Office.

“UBA Congo Brazzaville is strategically positioned to lead the Congo Brazzaville market in providing

HE United Bank for Africa (UBA), has commenced full scale banking operations in Congo Brazzaville.

The bank, said banking operations started on Friday, adding that the new opening brings to 19 the number of countries where UBA has presence.

UBA Congo Brazzaville will op-

comprehensive financial services solutions, leveraging Group presence in Central, East,West and Southern Africa in supporting multinational and local corporates’ cross border transactions,” the statement added..

Besides, UBA Congo Brazzaville will offer its wholesale and retail clients, e-banking solutions with high

added value, giving them access to UBA’s array of products and services.

The United Bank for Africa is one of Africa’s leading financial institutions offering universal banking to more than 17 million customers with assets in excess of $19 billion. The bank has over 750 branches with established presence in London, Paris and New York.

FGN BONDS

DATA BANK

Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 467.7m 400m 452.3m 500m 499,8m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 5-7-11 SYMBOL CAPHOTEL GTASSURE CUTIX STARCOMMS FIRSTINLND REDSTAREX OANDO GOLDINSURE IBTC NAHCO

O/PRICE 3.67 1.43 2.18 0.50 0.54 2.70 40.71 0.50 9.22 7.87

C/PRICE 3.85 1.50 2.28 0.52 0.56 2.80 42.00 0.51 9.40 8.00

CHANGE 0.18 0.07 0.10 0.02 0.02 0.10 1.29 0.01 0.18 0.13

LOSER AS AT 5-7-11 SYMBOL JBERGER ASHAKACEM SCOA INTERCONT GIGERINS AFRIBANK CILEASING FIDSON COSTAIN FIDELITYBK

O/PRICE 62.26 22.08 6.76 1.03 0.62 1.24 1.25 1.92 2.58 2.61

C/PRICE 59.15 21.00 6.43 0.98 0.59 1.18 1.19 1.83 2.46 2.49

Phillips Oduoza, GMD, UBA Plc

CHANGE 3.11 1.08 0.33 0.05 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.12

Amount Sold ($) 400m 400m 499.8m

Exchange Rate (N) 153.59 153.4 153.45

Date 25-5-11 23-5-11 16-5-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

239.4810 212.4997

244.0123 207.9023

245.6422 209.2910

-2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

Name

January ’11

February ’11

May ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.00%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.3%

% Change 0.7% 0.7%

Rate (Previous) 04 MAR, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 24, MAY, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.62 122.45 0.83 1.00 1,575.41 10.12 1.39 1.87 8,827.74 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 121.55 0.80 1.00 1,567.25 9.62 1.33 1.80 8,557.25 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

04-07-11 N7.845tr 24,536.96

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

DISCOUNT WINDOW

Tenor

01-07-11 N7.896tr 24,696.81

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous 04 MAR, 2011

Current 07, MAR, 2011

Bank

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

57

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 05-07-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name

No of Deals (N)

SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC. Sector Totals

1 1

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

1.04

7,200 7,200

7,128.00 7,128.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name

No of Deals (N) 2 2 17 21

FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50 0.50 8.00

100,157 152,000 970,700 1,222,857

50,078.50 76,000.00 7,774,704.00 7,900,782.50

AIR SERVICES Company Name

No of Deals (N)

AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

7 67 74

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

2.63 8.00

51,000 718,784 769,784

127,500.00 5,722,697.46 5,850,197.46

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name

No of Deals (N)

DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

3 8 11

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50 2.10

73,660 26,620 100,280

36,830.00 55,090.00 91,920.00

BANKING Company Name

No of Deals (N) 141 39 108 27 64 436 640 80 582 81 159 96 51 145 2 206 139 54 36 364 3,450

ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

6.88 1.18 4.97 2.80 7.01 2.49 12.00 0.56 15.00 9.40 0.98 1.44 0.83 7.47 1.79 5.43 2.60 0.85 0.92 14.80

2,362,166 1,791,419 20,959,191 526,699 6,200,129 8,331,327 12,317,976 7,797,702 21,448,749 1,651,349 21,793,890 6,190,812 1,376,106 10,765,078 50,000 6,529,334 5,412,880 5,218,506 949,633 24,132,370 165,805,316

16,468,946.12 2,115,930.42 103,974,016.78 1,483,223.07 43,446,168.29 21,489,592.68 149,254,440.79 4,073,979.49 323,792,259.55 15,537,996.70 21,598,246.20 8,671,762.56 1,119,621.33 80,563,740.47 85,500.00 36,257,448.17 13,899,548.80 4,432,614.12 883,524.76 355,467,785.30 1,204,616,345.60

BREWERIES Company Name

No of Deals (N)

CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC JOS INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

1 89 24 1 176 291

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

4.46 244.99 6.39 2.37 90.00

4,500 710,347 434,376 100 2,448,704 3,598,027

21,060.00 173,491,996.92 2,641,011.08 237.00 220,103,889.68 396,258,194.68

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name

No of Deals (N)

ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

44 18 20 46 128

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

21.00 9.30 123.00 47.00

268,432 387,812 149,985 259,534 1,065,763

5,713,313.87 3,607,815.39 18,269,714.99 12,199,052.36 39,789,896.61

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name

No of Deals (N)

BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC NIGERIAN-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC. Sector Totals

2 40 1 1 44

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

10.43 36.00 10.53 10.93

8,400 222,886 100 200 231,586

83,244.00 8,131,529.13 1,001.00 2,186.00 8,217,960.13

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name

No of Deals (N)

COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

4 13 2 19

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50 2.80 5.78

22,149 849,525 5,971 877,645

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

2.09 7.21 37.99 6.43 1.03 39.01 27.00

1,000 557 223,582 223,208 1,988,443 376,772 162,899 2,976,461

Shareholders seek dissolution of NSE council

S

A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC JOHN HOLT PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals (N) 1 2 42 2 23 54 51 175

1,990.00 3,815.45 8,343,462.42 1,435,227.44 2,048,096.29 14,699,994.17 4,376,324.50 30,908,910.27

CONSTRUCTION Company Name

No of Deals (N)

COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

48 16 64

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

2.46 59.15

798,140 171,060 969,200

1,977,808.80 10,119,061.08 12,096,869.88

the NSE, market operators and the investing public.

“The leadership question, the shareholder group insisted, is a setback for the market in its quest for a recovery. For the first time in history, the leadership of NSE is indeed in limbo,” ISAN stated.

The association called for the immediate and complete disengagement of SEC from the day to day operation of the NSE through the backdoor in order to engender accountability, transparency, restore investor confidence and earn both local and global respect for SEC. The shareholders’ group also called on SEC to immediately engage Adonai Net Nigeria, NSE and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) in a constructive dialogue with a view to find an amicable solution to the ongoing impasse on the trade alert service.

ISAN stated that the trade alert was conceptualised, developed and single-handedly funded for the stock market in 2005 by Adonai Net Nigeria Limited- a private information technology company.

The group pointed out that the introduction of trade alert service was timely and met the much needed response to the unbridled fraudulent practices of tampering with investors’ share portfolio, including fraudulent purchase and

sale, misappropriation of investors’ fund, outright stealing and sale of shares.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market continued on the downtrend yesterday as key market indicators plunged to new lows.

The All Share Index (ASI) closed at 24,465.52 points, a depreciation of 0.29 per cent that brought the market’s year-to-date return to a negative 1.23 per cent. Market capitalization of all equities also dropped by 0.29 per cent to close at N7.822 trillion, against the N7.845 trillion recorded a day earlier The decline was orchestrated by losses suffered by highly capitalised stocks such as Dangote Sugar Refinery, Ashaka Cement, United Bank for Africa, First Bank of Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank.

Turnover on the NSE however rose by 18.3 per cent to N2.86 billion for 264.80 million shares garnered in 6,089 deals. Zenith Bank was the most active stock with a turnover of 24.13 million. Intercontinental Bank trailed with 21.79 million shares, while GTB recorded 21.44 million.

Banking remained the most active sector with a turnover of 165.80 million shares. Insurance followed with a turnover of 47.468 million shares, while petroleummarketing recorded turnover of 19.06 million shares.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

11,074.50 2,237,989.50 32,840.50 2,281,904.50

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 05-07-11

CONGLOMERATES Company Name

By Tonia Osundolire

HAREHOLDERS under the aegis of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to dissolve the Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

They argued that the dissolution is the only remedy to addressing the infighting in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) In a petition addressed to the Presidency and signed by the National Coordinator, Sir Sunny Nwosu and General Secretary, Adebayo Adeleke, ISAN, said the constitution of the present NSE council did not follow laid down procedure and therefore it is illegal.

According to the shareholders’ group, the current council of the NSE should be dissolved immediately to pave way for a democratic process of electing new members of council in line with the rule of law.

ISAN, argued that the council of NSE is now populated by individuals whose entrant to the NSE was at the instance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“Since August last year, the Exchange has operated without leadership that was democratic and with the right moral authority to design and implement far-reaching policies and programmes, as well as command the respect and confidence of the staff

PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC STACO INSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

8 25 2 1 9 189

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 7

1.75 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.53

187,500 965,023 11,000 20,000 1,484,719 47,468,259

329,052.00 482,511.50 5,500.00 10,000.00 786,927.07 47,784,072.32

Quotation(N) 1.19

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 169,360 201,543.20 169,360 201,543.20

Quotation(N) 1.04

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,080,792 1,138,310.36 1,080,792 1,138,310.36

Quotation(N) 0.51 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,500 5,355.00 2,181,300 1,090,650.00 2,191,800 1,096,005.00

LEASING

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 78 78

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 32 34

MEDIA ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name

No of Deals (N) 4 1 5

CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

2.28 0.54

53,314 1,000 54,314

121,555.92 540.00 122,095.92

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals (N) 12 54 54 79 90 13 36 16 79 7 4 444

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

45.00 18.00 16.00 12.30 93.20 4.25 5.00 41.50 400.01 26.00 0.50

14,920 296,391 1,087,428 1,031,718 997,071 34,880 569,899 52,041 353,579 807,257 14,300 5,259,484

669,800.75 5,279,266.12 17,398,848.00 12,520,406.40 91,955,215.78 145,262.80 2,877,312.99 2,183,317.22 141,453,889.03 20,990,666.52 7,150.00 295,481,135.61

HEALTHCARE Company Name

No of Deals (N)

FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 7 GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC 16 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 14 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC 2 PHARMA-DEKO PLC 3 Sector Totals 42

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

1.83 25.60 3.70 1.70 3.87

272,000 160,384 84,971 2,000 1,049 520,404

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

3.85 1.46

1,021,200 6,696,555 7,717,755

497,760.00 3,926,719.08 299,787.23 3,240.00 4,059.63 4,731,565.94

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name

No of Deals (N) 8 31 39

CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

3,923,988.00 9,776,970.30 13,700,958.30

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name

No of Deals (N) 2 13 15

FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50 6.00

16,400 72,500 88,900

8,200.00 436,031.50 444,231.50

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name IHS NIGERIA PLC MASS TELECOM INNOVATION NIGERIA PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals (N)

1 2 20 23

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

2.95 0.50 0.52

200 282,000 448,542 730,742

562.00 141,000.00 232,731.84 374,293.84

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC.

No of Deals (N) 43 11 1 3 2 5 43 1 1 3 2 2 16 11

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.77 1.15 0.50 3.01 0.50 0.51 1.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.56 0.50 0.52 0.59

492,085 4,211,962 39,000 3,580 1,400,000 455,600 20,626,756 25,200 1,300 5,028,000 101,000 350,350 11,322,240 742,944

380,009.51 4,811,006.30 19,500.00 10,745.80 700,000.00 229,806.00 30,934,063.78 12,600.00 650.00 2,514,000.00 56,560.00 175,175.00 5,887,564.80 438,400.56

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 17 19

Quotation(N) 1.37 0.50 0.53

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 685.00 200,000 100,000.00 916,000 485,480.00 1,116,500 586,165.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND TRUST PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 2

Quotation(N) 2.02 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 15,000 30,300.00 2,000 1,000.00 17,000 31,300.00

Quotation(N) 2.50 1.15

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,245,164 3,088,536.35 6,200 6,820.00 1,251,364 3,095,356.35

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC POLY PRODUCTS (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 564 3 567

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 15 21 3 19 14 213 6 292

Quotation(N) 0.50 72.00 36.10 4.52 19.28 157.50 42.00 195.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 46,000 23,000.00 7,300 510,203.60 24,658 856,390.33 29,170 125,431.00 24,051 463,703.28 11,678 1,810,952.80 18,924,821 776,082,199.82 1,991 394,644.15 19,069,669 780,266,524.98

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 6 7

Quotation(N) 5.60 5.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 140 784.00 27,800 138,020.00 27,940 138,804.00

Quotation(N) 20.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 30,037 573,584.25 30,037 573,584.25

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 17 17

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Company Name UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRU Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 50.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,000 500,000.00 10,000 500,000.00

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.57

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,300 715.00 1,300 715.00

Quotation(N) 0.59

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,691 5,127.69 8,691 5,127.69

TEXTILES

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 16 16

Quotation(N) 14.89

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 113,600 1,623,691.00 113,600 1,623,691.00

6,080

264,552,030

2,859,915,589.89

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59

FOREIGN NEWS

Christine Lagarde takes over at IMF

C

HRISTINE Lagarde, France’s former finance minister, has taken over as head of the International Monetary Fund.

The first woman to head the IMF, she was picked by its 24-member board.

The post became vacant after the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn following his arrest in New York in May. He denies sexual assault charges.

Ms Lagarde beat Mexico’s Agustin Carstens to the job, receiving support from the EU, US and emerging market nations China, India and Brazil.

Announcing its decision

last week, the IMF board said it had regarded both candidates as highly suitable for the job, but had decided on Ms Lagarde “by consensus”.

Ms Lagarde takes the helm of the IMF at time of heightened global financial nerves, says the BBC’s Jonny Dymond in Washington.

The fund is up to its elbows in the Euro-crisis and directly involved in bailing out debt-stricken Greece, while keeping a close eye on other Euro-area countries in difficulties, he says.

Perhaps the first task of her five-year term will be to deal with the efforts of the IMF and European Union to

•Christine

resolve the Greek debt crisis and prevent contagion to other Eurozone economies.

In a television interview after her appointment, Ms Lagarde pressed Greece to move quickly to push through unpopular austerity measures that the IMF and EU had said were a prerequisite for further aid. Greece subsequently approved the measures.

US Senate misses recess for debt ceiling talks T HE United States Senate is working through its July recess in frantic talks with the White House on a deal to raise the US government’s borrowing limit.

The government risks defaulting on its debt if Congress does not enact more borrowing authority by August 2.

Republicans say they refuse to consider raising taxes, while Democrats are calling for a “balanced approach” that protects favoured social programmes.

It is unclear how close the two sides are to a deal.

The US currently runs an estimated $1.5 trillion (£932bn) annual budget deficit, and has already exceeded

the national debt limit of $14.3tn.

The government’s borrowing authority is limited by statute.

Historically, Congress raises the debt limit as a matter of routine, but this year a newly empowered faction of conservative, anti-tax Republicans are keen to extract dramatic cuts in government spending as the price of raising the limit, analysts say.

On Saturday, Mr Obama said Republican and Democratic negotiators had identified $1tn in spending cuts.

A default by the US government would be a very se-

rious matter, not only for the US but for the global financial system, so the smart money has always said that Congress and the White House would come to an agreement in the eleventh hour” And he urged negotiators to consider scaling back tax breaks that benefit wealthy individuals, including low income tax rates for hedge fund managers, benefits for corporate jet owners and subsidies for oil and gas companies.

“It would be nice if we could keep every tax break, but we can’t afford them,” he said.

Venezuela marks 200th independence ENEZUELA is markhero Simon Bolivar is his anniversary ence ing the 200th anniverinspiration.

V

sary of its independence from Spain, with President Hugo Chavez back from cancer surgery in Cuba.

A military-civilian parade is being held in Caracas and street parties are taking place across the country.

President Chavez, who made a surprise return on Monday, said he would follow events from the presidential palace.

It is a key date for Mr Chavez, who says independ-

PUBLIC NOTICE DANIEL NWANDIRE BIBLE FOUNDATION The general public are hereby informed that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part "C" of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

MEMBERS OF TRUSTEES ARE: (1) Brother Daniel C. Nwandire (2) Brother Oji O. Oji (3) Brother Femi Madariola Secretary (4) Brother Ikhile Osamudiamen Gerald (5) Brother Bright Nwandire

-

Chairman Patron -

-

Member Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Making the word of God dwell in the heard of men by making the Bible available to those who have none who cannot afford it who have no access to it, new converts through churches and other Christian institutes like schools, hospitals, charity homes etc.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P. M. B. Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: NWANDIRE D. C. (Chairman)

The celebrations began at midnight with a fireworks display. Later yesterday, an urn containing Venezuela’s declaration of independence was opened in the presence of government leaders, with the exception of President Chavez.

Writing on the Twitter social network, Mr Chavez wished his country a happy birthday.

“Oh Venezuela, happy birthday beloved fatherland!

Ah, Venezuelans, Venezuelans, today and forever congratulations, brothers mine!

Viva Venezuela!!!!”, he wrote in Spanish.

To the sound of massed drums and trumpets, soldiers marched past a reviewing stand holding Venezuelan officials and visiting leaders, including the presidents of Paraguay and Bolivia, Fernando Lugo and Evo Morales.

They were followed by civilian groups, including athletes, waving flags or raising their hats in the air.

Mr Chavez received a hero’s welcome from his supporters on Monday after returning from nearly a month in Cuba.

There had been much speculation whether he would be well enough to be back home

PUBLIC NOTICE DADA I formerly known as Miss Oluwatoyin Abosede Dada, now wish to be known as Mrs Oluwatoyin Abosede Ajayi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

60

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62

NEWS

Senator to Aliyu: stop chasing shadows

T

HE Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District, Senator Ibrahim Musa Kontagora, has urged the Babangida Aliyu administration to concentrate on governance instead of chasing shadows and pointing fingers.

The senator was reacting to a statement in which the government berated him for his comments on the Aliyu administration during the screening of ministerial nominees at the National Assembly last Thursday.

Kontagora said he was only referring to the joint running of the state-local governments’ account, which had resulted in the non-payment of the salary

Bauchi revenue board partners police T

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

of primary school teachers and council workers.

In an interview in Minna, the state capital, the lawmaker said he was misquoted and wrongly accused by the government.

According to him, he only asked the nominee how he would check the misuse of state/council joint accounts if he were confirmed as minister.

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Senator said his question was directed at the 36 state governments and not to Aliyu.

He said: “I only cited my local government as an example of where the electric-

•Aliyu

ity bills have not been settled for over nine months because there are no sufficient funds to settle the bills.

I used that as a case study because I know about it.”

Kontagora urged the government to provide dividends of democracy “instead of telling lies against me...”

HE Bauchi State Board of Internal Revenue yesterday said it would continue to partner the Police to boost revenue generation.

Its Chairman, Mua’zu Usman, spoke in Bauchi, the state capital, when he led other board members to visit Police Commissioner Mohammed Abdulkadir Indabawa.

Usman said the board had taken measures to improve revenue generation and instill discipline in the system.

He said the board would begin a campaign to educate

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

tax payers on the importance of paying their taxes promptly to enable the government develop social infrastructure.

Usman said: “The board is vested with the responsibility of generating revenue in the state, but it has been observed that it cannot carry out this task alone. This is why it seeks partnership with security agencies.”

He noted that people do not like paying taxes, adding that the solution was for the board to partner security agents for tax collection.

Usman said the major

challenge before every revenue collection board was the engagement of the informal sector.

He said there were plans on road tax collection to improve revenue generation and make road users comply with road traffic rules.

Usman condemned those who use vehicles without number plates, saying their action posed a danger to lives and property.

Indabawa said the Police command would enforce the law and ensure security of lives and property, adding that it would partner other government agencies to ensure good governance.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA Canada 0-1 Nigeria: Nkwocha’s goal nails Canada

•Fulfils World Cup scoring feat •Power failure stops game for over 11mins

N

IGERIA’s senior female team, Super Falcons’ striker Perpetua Nkwocha in the 84th minute fulfilled her dream of scoring in the World Cup when she slipped the ball past the fumbling hands of Canada’s goalkeeper to earn the country her first victory at

From Ejiro Femi-Babafemi, in Germany the level and a third place finish in Group A. Twice in the first half, Falcons’ Desire Oparanozie and Perpetua Nwocha struck the up-right behind Canada’s goalkeeper but

were unable to convert the rebound much to the relief of the Canadian girls.

Interestingly, the game was stopped in 70th minute due to power outage for 11 minutes.

The fans made mockery of the show of shame by putting on their torch lights to help illuminate the venue to no avail.

The Nigeria girls are expected in the country today with most football watchers happy with their performance especially in the game against Germany which they lost 1-0.

Meanwhile, in the other group match Germany whipped France 4-2 to top the group A table.

NSC plans to redefine Sports Festival •Set to introduce National Open

T

HE National Sports Commission (NSC), plan to redefine the National Sports Festival by introducing a programme called the National Open.

Director-General of the NSC, Dr. Patrick Ekeji made this known while receiving a report from the Main Organising Committee (MOC) for the host state for the 19th National Sports Festival scheduled for 2014.

“As one of those innovations, the National Sports Commission is planning to add greater value to our National Sports Festival.

We keep thinking about how to improve and better the festival, there is need for us to look at the definition of the National Sports Festival again and come out with a programme that will be an improvement the festival.

“I’m already looking at

From Akeem Lawal and Florence Nkem, in Port Harcourt creating what I describe as a National Open. This may not be for all sports, but could be for those sports that are category A sport in this country. Therefore it means that if we have a National Open, champions in that sport automatically becomes the best the country will have in those sport for a defined period.

“I’m looking at redefining the NSF into an age-group festival. What this means is that the National Sports Festival concept is still on, but we are improving it so that athletes that fall within the age bracket that emerge from the sport festival automatically are the best in this games and we advance them into the elite athlete programmes”, he said.

•Canada's Rhian Wilkinson (l) and Nigeria's Perpetua Nkwocha fight for the ball during the Women's World Cup Group A soccer match in Dresden, yesterday

Tornadoes players to get sign-on fees soon, says govt

I

MPRESSED by the performance of Niger Tornadoes in the second stanza of the league, the state government has given assurance to the players that it would pay part of the player’s sign-on fees before the end of this month.

In a closed-door meeting with the management and players of the club shortly before their 2-0 home win against the Shooting Stars of Ibadan in Minna, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr Kuta Yahaya assured the players that the government will pay some percentage of their sign-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna on fees before the end of July.

He said that the government was impressed by their improved performance since the commencement of the second stanza of the league and therefore urged them to maintain the tempo.

It will be recalled that the players had threatened to boycott both training and matches if the government failed to pay them their signon fees and this development prompted the visit by the governor’s aide to the players.

MEDALS TABLE (As at 2pm July 5, 2011)

SN

State

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Total

1.

Rivers

57

19

25

101

2.

Delta

29

31

35

95

3.

Edo

13

13

17

43

4.

Bayelsa

11

4

15

30

5.

A’Ibom

10

2

13

25

6.

Ondo

9

14

16

39

7.

Ogun

7

11

18

36

8.

Benue

6

3

12

21

9.

Plateau

6

9

4

19

10.

FCT

4

7

8

19

11.

C’River

4

5

6

15

12.

Kano

4

4

2

10

13.

Imo

3

9

18

30

14.

Lagos

3

6

10

19

15.

Oyo

2

6

6

14

16.

Abia

2

3

4

9

17.

Bauchi

1

7

4

12

18.

Anambra

1

4

5

10

19.

Kaduna

1

3

7

11

20.

Nasarawa

1

0

3

4

21.

Osun

1

0

3

4

22.

Jigawa

0

2

2

4

23.

Niger

0

2

2

4

24.

Katsina

0

2

1

3

25.

Kogi

0

1

6

7

26.

Ekiti

0

1

5

6

27.

Ebonyi

0

1

2

3

28.

Yobe

0

1

2

3

29.

Adamawa

0

1

0

1

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 6 NO.1811

Tomorrow in THE NATION ‘What do the Yoruba want or should want in Nigeria? Like every other Nigerian group, the Yoruba people want Nigeria to be a modern state with highly developed and sophisticated infrastructure and a business friendly environment within which the economy would grow’ JIDE OSUNTOKUN

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

Y

ESTERDAY, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, one of three managing directors of the World Bank, and before then Nigeria’s much celebrated Minister of Finance, faced the Senate for the confirmation of her nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan apparently to mind the store once again. By the time you read this, chances are she would have been confirmed by the Senate and appointed by the president to take over from the erstwhile minister, Mr Olusegun Aganga, whose re-nomination as minister had been confirmed by the Senate ahead of OkonjoIweala’s but who has since been pencilled down for another ministry.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was much celebrated for her role as Finance minister in the socalled $18 billion debt relief Nigeria got from the Paris Club of public creditors in October 2005. But even before then she had made the now famous list of American Time magazine’s 100 most influential persons in the world for the year, not to mention an article in the London Financial Times about the same period which had described her as “the lady to save Africa,” or some such words.

Perhaps such praise from the international media, of course, duly echoed by a local media that, in a manner of speaking, all too often likes to be more Catholic than the Pope, had gotten into the lady’s head.

Perhaps her boss and benefactor, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, had become envious of his minister attracting more limelight than himself over the debt relief.

But in his first cabinet reshuffle after the debt relief, he not only relieved her of the Finance portfolio and sent her to the Foreign Affairs ministry which she presumambly had neither the inclination nor the enthusiasm to manage. He also removed her as the head of his much-fabled economic team that included such wellpublicised “Obasanjo Boys” like Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, then Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, and the “superminister,” – late President Umaru Yar’adua’s words - Malam Nasir el-Rufa’i, who was in charge of the Federal Capital Territory but who also doubled as Obasanjo’s Man Friday.

Shortly after what was clearly her demotion, an obviously much chastened OkonjoIweala resigned from her benefactor’s cabinet and returned to her old roost – the World Bank from where he had recruited her as a middle ranking official to come and mind the store.

On her return, the World Bank catapulted her from where she left off to the top management. This was clearly in appreciation of her role in the $18 billion debt relief saga touted especially by her admirers as one of the greatest economic miracles in post-colonial Nigeria.

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

As Ngozi returns to Finance Ministry

•Mrs Okonjo-Iweala

It was as a managing director of the bank that, as the speculations went at the time, Yar’adua tried to woo her back as minister of Finance. She reportedly declined the invitation, presumably still smarting from the wretched treatment she got from Obasanjo, Yar’adua’s predecessor.

President Jonathan has obviously succeeded where his late boss had failed. But her acceptance of the president’s invitation seems to have come with some strings attached by the lady herself. According to Leadership Weekly (July 2), she accepted the president’s invitation only after he had acceded to her conditions of having a free hand to pick the members of his new economic team and to “chart and direct the economy,” albeit consistent with the president’s “Transformation Agenda.”

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MORE INDUSTRIES, SOLUTION TO UNEMPLOYMENT-Ekweremadu

INDUSTRIES...powered by GENERATORS?

If the Leadership Weekly is correct – and there is no reason to think it isn’t - Nigeria may yet pay a stiff price for “begging” the lady to come back as Finance minister. Even if the newspaper is wrong, it’s hard to see what extraordinary value the lady would add to our economy that the country had to go all the way to Washington-DC to beg her to return.

The alert reader would have noted that at the beginning of this piece, I’d referred to the $18 billion debt relief she helped secure for Nigeria in 2005 as so-called. The reason is simple; the relief may have been touted as a major economic miracle in post-colonial Nigeria.

The truth, however, is quite the contrary.

First, there is a near universal consensus that the debt itself was questionable in its size, to start with. The fact is little or no effort had ever been made to establish its authenticity. Second, as I said on these pages, first on July 20, 2005 before the relief, and second, on November 9, 2005 after the relief, Nigeria was made to pay too stiff a price for it. As I pointed out in the first piece, no less a development economist than Professor Jeffry Sach, who earned his tenured professorship at the Columbia University (an American Ivy League university) at age 28 and is the principal author of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG), said as much on a lecture visit to Nigeria that year.

“The $18 billion debt cancellation for Nigeria,” he said in Abuja, “is good but it is less good than it should be. The creditors are nasty and stingy. To extract $12 billion from a country with an annual budget of $3 to $4 billion is callous.”

But the payment of $12 to our external creditors at a time our collapsed infrastructures were crying for investment – actually we paid $12.4 billion – was not the only price we paid. As I said in my second piece on the subject, there was also the issue of getting the approval of the International Monetary

HARDBALL

I

T is difficult to make sense of the Federal Government’s strategy for dealing with the extreme Islamist sect, Boko Haram, because of conflicting signals emerging from key officials of the administration.

On Monday, the State Security Service (SSS) called a news conference to announce the arrest of 100 of the sect’s “cell commanders” in six states.

While presenting the status report, SSS Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Marilyn Ogar, made the astonishing declaration that the arrested suspects would not be prosecuted because of some “carrot and stick policy” of the administration!

She said: “Details of those arrested will remain classified as they are still undergoing the process of de-radicalisation, perception management and also trying to win their confidence back to the society.”

“At the end of the exercise, we know what to adopt. They are Nigerians, and we have to talk to them to drop their reasons. You know we are still grappling with the killing of Mohammed Yusuf, so we cannot charge anyone to court for now.”

The SSS position conflicts with that of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, who warned last Sunday that those

Fund for our so-called Policy Support Instrument as a condition for securing the relief. The PSI was IMF’s notorious one-curefor-all-ailments SAP (Structural Adjustment Programme) in all but name. And we all know what damage SAP has done to virtually each and every country that has implemented it.

Third, as I also said in my second piece, in spite of all the hype about the debt cancellation giving Nigeria a new economic lease of life, there was no guarantee that our exit from the Paris Club debts was really total.

This much was evident from an interview in Thisday ( October 29, 2005) by then French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yves Gaudeul, an interview in which he said the cancellation was a long process in which the exit had to be negotiated individually with each of the 19-member countries of the Club.

“There are,” he said, “lots of technicalities to be solved and it takes a long time. I do not know when that will be.”

All of which means that for all we know, we may still be in hock to some, if not all, of the members of the Club.

The bottom line of all this was that the debt relief was in reality a sugar-coated bitter pill which was far more beneficial to its hawkers, namely the Paris Club membercountries and their henchmen - and women - at the IMF and the World Bank - the West’s twin economic policemen - than to the supplicant, assuming it was of any benefit to the supplicant at all.

It should be apparent to even the half-blind by now that Okonjo-Iweala owed her managing directorship at the World Bank to the role she played in forcing the sugar-coated bitter pill down our throats.

This is the lady we have gone on our knees to plead with to return to manage our finances even though it should be obvious that she is more likely to resolve the conflict of interest she would inevitably face between serving International Capital and serving Nigeria in favour of the former.

At the time she was Obasanjo’s minister of Finance, there were well-founded suspicions that the lady had her eyes on the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB) fuelled by her lack of enthusiasm in campaigning for Nigeria’s candidate for the job during the election that took place in Abuja several years ago. Partly as a result Nigeria lost the election to Burundi right under her turf.

It is hardly unfair to speculate that the lady has been motivated to return as Finance minister more by the prospects of the AfDB job, which is by far bigger than being one of three managing directors at the World Bank, than by any patriotic zeal to serve mothercountry.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Rotten carrots, broken sticks the Army catches with explosive materials, would be prosecuted in line with the newly enacted Anti-Terrorism Act. So which is the official Federal Government position? Is it going the law and order route, or is it killing Boko Haram softly with love? A couple of weeks back when talk of amnesty for the terrorists was all the rage in some quarters, a certain senior presidential adviser piped up to say that the government had foreclosed the use of the amnesty option to deal with such insurgencies.

To help the government clear up the confusion, we would like to ask why the 100– plus “Boko Haram cell commanders” were arrested if they had not done anything for which they deserve to be charged. Are they being held for simply believing that Western education is sin? That is not an offence!

If they are being held without cause just so that the SSS would appear busy, then it is a flagrant abuse of their human rights. But if they are involved in bombings and murder, then they deserve to face justice without further delay – irrespective of some fuzzy carrot

and stick policy.

If people who are implicated in sundry acts of terror would not be prosecuted, what is the point of spending millions of naira, and valuable legislative time and resources to pass the Anti-Terrorism Act? Knowing his Ghandian inclination to winning the criminally-minded over with sweetened carrots, why did President Goodluck Jonathan bother to append his signature to the bill?

We wonder how this business of sweettalking killers who have murdered and maimed scores of Nigerians would play in the homes of those who have lost fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. How does this incomprehensible ‘policy’ assuage their loss? While we are busy petting hardened criminals, what carrots are we throwing to the victims?

Yesterday, in Maiduguri, in continuation of their relentless campaign of mayhem, suspected members of Boko Haram killed two policemen and bombed a military patrol squad. That is what they think of Jonathan’s carrots and sticks.

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